There are several things in Ezekiel 8-11 that catch our attention: (1) the blasphemous worship of idols, images, animals, foreign religious rituals, and worship the sun (2) the killing of all those committing idolatry – men, women, old and young, even little children. (3) the glory of the Lord leaving the temple – leaving the city – moving out and last seen over the Mount of Olives.

This is a bleak, gray, discouraging scene.

The disgrace of idolatry,

 the death of so many,

the departure of the glory of the Lord.

But then in the midst of all the dark images – a bright red beating heart appears – as the Lord promises to give the people one heart, a new heart, a heart of flesh.

The Lord our God is a God of love. Let us worship Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.