[Hebrews 3, Proverbs 29]

H – Hebrews 3:15, “As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.””

E – Hard Hearts!

How do our hearts grow hard, unfeeling, disobedient, and cold?

Hebrews may be one of my favorite books of the Bible. It certainly holds my favorite verses (Hebrews 12:1-3). Over and over again the wilderness generation is used as an example to encourage Christians to persevere in a time of trial. 

In moments of trial it doesn’t take long for some to get stung by situations, circumstances, attitudes, and wrongdoings; resulting in a hardness of heart. Before you know it our hardened hearts lead to aimless wandering, making the things around us become habit and His Word becoming not that big of a deal.

Notice in Hebrews 3 the references to the heart and what leads to its hardness. When we refuse to listen to Truth (v.8) we loose our confidence (v.6) and begin to give in to  deception (v.13). This leads to one going astray (v.10), abandoning His ways (v.10b), and falling away (rebellion) (v.12). 

Wow!

It gets worse before it gets better. The one who’s heart is hard can not be at rest (v.11).

There is only one cure for the hardness of our hearts; we need to humble ourselves and repent. Repentance does not just mean that we feel badly about something and regret it. It means that we turn in the opposite direction. We “go completely the other way.”

So, what’s the opposite of the references listed above? We dive deep into God’s Word, being filled with the Truth of His Spirit. We have confidence in His promises that leads us to persevere in faithful obedience. It’s simple! The Bible renews our minds and brings our thoughts into conformity with God’s heart (Romans 12:2) and from there we obey what we read and hear from God (John 14:15).

A – Open up my heart. Listen for Him and to Him. Heed His Word, obey His Word, and remain confident in the work of Christ. 

Proverbs 4:23, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”

R – Lord God, thank you for giving me a heart after yours. You tore my old heart out and gave me a new one. Lord, I don’t want to allow situations, circumstances, attitudes, or wrongdoings to cause me to place stones around my heart. God, I need help. Help me to cling to the Truth of your Word. Help me to heed conviction and commandments. Help me to have strength to persevere. Help me to simply rest in the comfort of your Spirit. Help me to be like Samuel and simply say, “speak God, your servant is listening.”

In Jesus Name!