New Heart, New Spirit_32Ezekiel 36:1-38 Ever since the LORD promised the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants, invaders have trampled upon the land.All the people who have abused the land of Israel down through history have overlooked one crucial fact: the Holy Land belongs to God Himself.He has designated the land to be the seat of His government when the Messiah returns to set up God's kingdom on earth.Since the land belongs to the LORD, anything that defiles it also profanes His name.Another fact often overlooked by the abusers of God's land is this: the LORD loves the people He chose to live in His holy land. The Jews are His chosen people, and His honor is wrapped up with them, both when they sin and when they suffer.In Ezekiel's day, God's holy land and His people were both suffering. God had promised the land to them in the covenant with Abraham.Therefore, He gave Ezekiel a very special message for His people, a message that promised a bright future for both the land and the people. A day was coming when God was going to renew the land and restore His transformed people to it.