Hardened Hearts
Today’s Verse:
Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: ~Hebrews 3:7-8
There is an English idiom that says, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” This means that getting used to the same thing can result in it becoming something that we lose interest in or enjoyment of. When I was in 3rd grade until 5th grade of elementary school, I made my own bag lunch every day. This consisted of making a boiled ham sandwich. For the first several weeks, I really enjoyed eating this every day. However, I got to the point where I disliked and could not stand even the sight of ham sandwiches. Our passage today is a warning to us against getting so used to God speaking to us that we become hardened in heart. This morning, we want to take caution against the danger of becoming hardened Christians.
There is the historical precedent.
In Exodus 17, Israel came to a place in their travel where there was no water. The people began murmuring and complaining against Moses and God. They did not consider that there was a faith lesson in coming to this place. They had forgotten very quickly the mighty miracle of the Red Sea crossing and how God gave them water at Marah. The lack of water at Rephidim was a momentary inconvenience that was meant to get them to call upon God. Instead, this situation brought out the worst in them. Israel had gotten used to the great things of God and became hardened. We must take to heart the historical precedents in Scripture as we arrive at testing junctures in our Christian life.
There is the heart problem.
We can arrive at this same kind of place where Israel was. We can get used to the voice of God and lose a sense of conscience about being obedient, repentant, or completely dependent. It is easy for each of us to go day after day, week after week, or month after month with no change in our life. Harden not your heart! A hardened heart becomes dull to the Word of God. A hardened heart lives in self-deceit. A hardened heart refuses to hearken to God. When this happens, we find ourselves complaining, murmuring, and becoming cynical in spirit. We lose a sense of doing what God wants. Have you become hardened in heart? Has it been a long time since you responded to God’s Word in your life?
There is the holy prescription.
First, keep yourself tender and sensitive to the Spirit’s leading. Be ready to respond every time God’s Word is opened. Second, be honest and realize that God speaks to us in a way that draws us closer to Him. Third, stop looking at someone else’s fault and sin, and keep your eyes on what God is saying to you. Fourth, obey the Lord’s voice and walk in the light of His Word. Ask God to daily break up the fallow ground of your heart. Don’t get so used to reading the Word, the preaching of the Word, and the meditating of the Word that you are keeping God from speaking to you.
A hardened heart can lead to spiritual demise. It will cause you to lose your impact for Christ. It will disable your service for the Lord. Do a check on your heart today! Let God arise in your heart and be a victorious Christian.
Have a tender-hearted God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Esther 1-5