The writer of the book of Hebrews relates a somber warning from Psalm 95,

Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, “TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME, AS IN THE DAY OF TRIAL IN THE WILDERNESS, WHERE YOUR FATHERS TRIED Me BY TESTING Me, AND SAW MY WORKS FOR FORTY YEARS.  (Hebrews 3:7-9)

What does it mean to harden your heart?  From this passage we see that it conveys the thought of seeing the hand of God but refusing to accept His word and submit to His will.  It’s understandable that Pharaoh’s heart was hardened – he didn’t want to lose his labor force.  It’s difficult however to see how God’s own people could act that way.  Lest we be too hard on the Israelites we need to consider our own heart condition,

Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.  (Hebrews 3:12)

That is a warning we must heed today.  Let’s take a heart check,

Do I trust His word and step out in faith or do I prefer to play it safe?

Is my will surrendered to His will or do I like to do it my way?

Am I abandoned to His purposes or is my focus on my plans?

Solomon’s words are appropriate, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23).  Becoming like Jesus involves exchanging our thin skin and hard heart for a thick skin and a tender heart.  May we have a tender heart and avoid hardness of heart!

Dr. Rick Higgins
Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University