HARD HEARTS. Hebrews 3:8 The Israelites in the wilderness entered a whole new way of life, where God had delivered them from bondage and made them His people on the way to the land promised to Abraham. Instead of a cruel ruler whose demands were never satisfied, they had been brought into a place where God was with them as a gracious Father. He guided them by day and protected them by night. He wanted them to be a kingdom of priests who had permanent fellowship with Him.
He provided food and water for them as they journeyed through the wilderness, and they were free from taskmasters and able to live in freedom. However, despite all God provided for them, including the training and teaching on how to live righteous and honorable lives in harmony with Him, they rebelled against Him. Instead of trusting in Him and relying on His grace and power, they hardened their hearts against Him.
Training times are necessary. Tests are essential to highlight the importance of knowing God’s will and obeying it, even when we don’t understand the reason or the outcome. Faith needs to be tested regularly. When we hear God's voice, there is a risk of ignoring it or hardening our hearts against it, especially if it doesn't suit us or if we dislike what God is telling us.
God intends us to listen to His voice with “meek and lowly” hearts so that we are in a spiritual condition to learn and apply what He teaches us. When a person trembles at the word of God and has a humble and contrite spirit, their heart is open, joyful, and perhaps even excited to realize that God has noticed them and spoken to them. An open ear to receive the word of God will lead to the blessing of fellowship with God and the daily strength to live a holy, righteous life in this ungodly world.
Hindrances to receiving the word of God into our hearts and understanding it with our intellect can be caused by the hardness that comes from being too busy with business, religion, ambition, and forms of godliness without power. The devil will seek to cast doubt on the word of God and try to undermine the confidence that the word of God provides for living an abundant life. The cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the pursuit of pleasure all harden hearts.
Unbelief that walks by sight, not faith, makes hearts so hard that God’s word cannot enter, nor does the mercy, grace, long suffering, and the love of God move a hard heart to express gratitude and thanksgiving. It closes the hearts of people to the impact of the Gospel, the joy of forgiveness, the wonder of the great Creator being our Savior, and experiencing all the fullness of God that He wants to give us. Unless our hearts are open to obey the truth, God’s words will not profit us, and He cannot impart the blessings of salvation and all that it brings.
For believers, the Holy Spirit reminds us that God lives in an eternal “Today,” an eternal “now.” He lives an endless life that is not limited by time, space, or matter. We, by nature, are creatures who live in a moment of time called “life.” What a wonder that such an infinite Person would take notice of us, let alone love us with an everlasting love! God’s grace is available to us and sufficient for us at all times. His promises to us are “Yea and Amen,” and will never fail. He intends for us to live by faith in Him and act in obedience to His will. He knows what we need and meets that according to His sovereign will and plans.
When we pray, surrender our will to Him, respond to His commands, and submit ourselves, we can live in joyful submission and experience the power and results of faith. “Today” is the time to hear His voice, not when it is convenient for us. When we hear His voice, we need to respond with a soft heart. Sin begins in the heart and makes it hard. The result of sin is departing from the living God.