Simple Devotions

Tag: human kind

  • harden heart

    I once thought I understood the scene where God tells Moses “and I will harden his heart..” Ex 4:21

    I truly didn’t understand why God would say this because it seems contradictory to who He is, so in my little brain it had to mean when someone doesn’t want the presence of God near them.

    My reasoning was because God is LOVE, and where love abides it is pliable – filled with good thoughts.

    But take away Gods love and you have a heart of stone.

    After this study here’s what I understand better now, when a person keeps ignoring what they know is right ( this is what Pharaoh was doing. God knowing this is what he would do, foretold this to Moses..) because it conflicts with what they want, A hardening of the heart is something happens over time. Look at all the plagues, warning..warning..warning.

    1 Sam 6:6 repeats the lesson from Exodus which the Prophet Samuel said they didn’t learn – “Why then do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When He did mighty things among them, did they not let the people go, that they might depart?”

    He was warning them again..
    ‭

    The Word says their ability to tell right from wrong became weaker. The mind becomes darkened — Ephesians 4:18 says people can be “darkened in their understanding” when they turn from God.

    The conscience grows dull. 1 Timothy 4:2 describes a conscience that becomes “seared,” meaning it no longer responds clearly.

    The heart becomes hardened Hebrews 3:13 warns that sin can harden the heart over time.

    Separation from God follows Isaiah 59:2 says sin separates us from God.

    Put simply:

    When we repeatedly choose our desires over what we know God is asking, we slowly lose our sensitivity to truth.

    What once felt wrong no longer does, and that distance leads us away from God.

    When we ignore what God shows us is right, our hearts harden, our conscience dulls, and we begin to lose the ability to recognize truth.

    Friends – check your hearts as the Holy Spirit says: “ Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness,”
    ‭Hebrews 3:7-11

    It takes a simple step.. approach the throne of God in your heart and ask for forgiveness in Christ name, then let Him lead you through this life in a surrendered heart.

    In Christ love, amen

  • reset

    I went a few days without study and reflection.

    Out of routine because of the holidays, this can happen. But like any good habit you have to stop the distractions from keeping you from doing what is necessary to do good. This is one of those things that helps me to focus on Him.

    To often we let setbacks keep us from going forward, days turn to months eventually it can turn to years.

    Like a gym membership we have to use it to experience positive results. This is a temptation by the way “I’ll do it later, one day doesn’t matter; I’m just not feeling it.”

    It’s a force of will.

    The nature of human kind has the power of choice and depending on the choice then the action of our will.

    Desires to do good are right thinking but if it stops there – nothing avails. In other words nothing done is nothing gained.

    This is how the ruin comes, to those who hope God will make something good happen but they don’t move forward to yield to the will of God. This would be you still choosing not to serve God.

    Because God gives us free will (power of choice) it’s ours to exercise.

    This said we cannot change our hearts, we cannot control our thoughts, our impulses or our affections, we cannot make ourselves pure. So if you want to be fit for God’s service, it won’t happen unless you chose it.

    The first kids of Adam and Eve are the example, God was teaching Cain and Able how to abide, Cain didn’t want to bend to His will. Genesis 4

    So what good can come from free will if you don’t have freedom and peace? Romans 3:12

    The only answer is to choose to serve God (abide in Him) who is the God of peace and gives freedom in Christ Jesus. Psalm 143:10

    We can give Him our will, then He will work in us to do His good pleasure by teaching us; showing us and convicting us and yes even moving us in the right direction of His leading. Proverbs 3:6 He will not let you fail, Ish 41:10 He will lead you all the way, never leaving nor forsaking. Deut 31:6

    Our whole nature can be reset in Christ. Yield today, and everyday yield.

    In Christ Love, Amen