A Heart of Stone

This week I have been reading through the book of Hebrews.  Tucked within this book are some of my favorite passages of scripture.  The writer delves into issues of deep theology that are important for Christians to grapple with and make sense of.  Sometimes the Word of God is difficult to understand, and I'll admit that many times while reading Hebrews I've had to reach for various commentaries to shed light on the topics at hand.  However, one issue that is clearly stated is that of hearing God's voice.

Hebrews 3:15 says, "As it has been said, 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.'"  How often do we hear the voice of God speaking, whether audibly or in our hearts, and yet we  turn away?  With every instance of turning from the voice of God, our hearts become a little more numb to his love.  Imagine a lifetime of turning, avoiding, or rejecting God's Word.  Imagine the state of one's heart after such rebellion.  Eventually the hardened heart becomes like stone and is no longer able to glorify God at all.

A Biblical example of turning away from God is the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years after the exodus from Egypt.  God had freed them from oppressive slavery and was leading them to the Promised Land.  Even with visible, tangible evidence of His presence and sovereign grace, the people turned away.  They begged Aaron to give them a golden calf to worship even as Moses was atop the mountain receiving God's commandments.  Not surprisingly, God did not allow this generation to enter the Promised Land.  Their hearts were not in tune with God's and were therefore unworthy of His blessings.  Hebrews 3:18-19 says, "And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed?  So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief."

Likewise, those who call themselves Christians, yet refuse to heed God's voice will not enter God's rest.  Hebrews 4:1-2 warns, "Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.  For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith."  These verses really hit home with me, because I know too many people who sit in church every Sunday but who have no faith in the Living God.  Church attendance doesn't equal admittance into heaven.  Simply hearing the gospel doesn't mean we will spend eternity with God.  One might even read the Bible everyday or do every good deed conceivable to man, but without faith, they are still lost.  Without active faith, our efforts are in vain.

Perhaps it's time you examined your own heart.  Are you simply going through the motions or do you have a real relationship with the Living God?  Are you receptive to the voice of God, or has your heart become calloused and unyielding?  Do you have a passion for the Word of God and for His commands?  Psalm 119:10-11 says, "I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.  I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."  I pray that you will know God intimately and know Him more fully through reading and obeying His Word.  There is no greater delight that this!  It is only through faith and a relationship with God that we will enter his rest at the end of our lives.  May it be so in your own life!