HARDEN NOT THY HEART

One of the hardest lessons a Christian must learn is not to harden their heart when trials come.  We must expect trials to come, and keep praying and working for Him despite what we feel inside.  It’s difficult to have a song in our heart when a trial threatens to overwhelm us.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation:  but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”     (John 16:33)

As the tree weathers the storm, so too must we weather trials.  The tree is strengthened and the roots dig deeper as it is tested by high winds, hail, lightning and drought.

In my area, there are native dogwoods.  At the nursery, there are dogwoods which have never been tested by the elements.  Conversely, the native dogwoods look as lace in the springtime set against a background of green foliage and have withstood many storms, but they come back more beautiful than ever.  The hot house variety cannot withstand as much and easily die.

So too, we cannot grow as Christians if we are not tested.  It is in His Word and the avenue of prayer which give the faithful Christian strength to weather trials.  Our souls dig deeper into His Word.  Our lips pour out our hearts for comfort, compassion, and understanding.

Since He went through all of these prior to His death on the cross, He intercedes for us to the Father.  A very comforting thought.  The child of God who does not frequently use the spiritual blessing of prayer misses a close relationship with his Father.  He wants to hear from His children.

 

“Paul not only quoted this passage, he attributed it to the Holy Spirit:

“Wherefore as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation . . . “        (Hebrews 3:7-8)

“The Holy Ghost saith” – not man!

Thus, the New Testament writer placed the stamp of inspiration on the Psalms.  It’s an inspired message – not human folklore.

*Today!  The commands of God relate to the present.  They are too important to be postponed.

*Harden not your heart.  It’s an act of man.  And there are many ways it is produced:

*Refusing the call of God hastens the petrifying process.

*Man’s every effort to have his own way firms his mind in false reasoning.

*Every doubt sets up the hardening action.

*Resisting right dulls the sensitivity and makes it easier the next time.

*Trying to justify wrong sears the conscience a little deeper.

*When deceived by sin, the heart is stripped of feeling.

*A heart that beats only for self, hardens a little with every throb.

And a heart that is filled with hate, how like iron it becomes.”     ~ Leroy Brownlow

“Just when we thought we already matured, unexpected events make us realize we still have lots of growing up to do.”        ~ Unknown.

Eileen Light