Hebrews 3:15 says, “Today, if you hear God’s voice, do not harden your hearts….” Do you know what a hard heart is?
Similarly, Isaiah says the people have necks of iron and foreheads of brass. Isaiah 43:3-5. Imagine a mule with a neck of iron. His owner will have to beat him all day. The two phrases, hard hearts and stiff necks refer to the same thing—you must BE TEACHABLE.
When God speaks, make up your mind to submit, to listen, and learn. Be ready to CHANGE.
Today I read a summary in 2 Chronicles. God kept speaking to Israel, sending prophet after prophet.
“But they kept ridiculing God’s messengers, despising His words, and scoffing at His prophets, until the Lord’s wrath was so stirred up against His people that there was no remedy.” 2 Chronicles 36:16.
When Israel was stubborn and stiff necked, with hard hearts that could not be touched or moved by God, His PATIENCE RAN OUT.
Ask God to be patient. Confess those times you meant to change but forgot and went back… Repent of being distracted and failing to listen. Thank God for His patience and ask for more mercy.
Dear God, help me have a tender heart and a bent neck. Help me listen to you, remember what you say, and change my actions. I’m sorry for my failures. Thank you for your patience and your amazing grace. I know you love me! Please keep working on me, keep speaking to me, keep helping me to be more like you. I love you so much! Keep my heart right. Never let me be stubborn. Make me more humble and more teachable, every day. I love you!
ΑΩ
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