This letter in many ways is a continuation of
last month's letter by Sister Debbie. What a tremendous
testimony of perseverance! I am sure there were many times
she could have just given up and allowed her heart to become
hard and not receive anything from the Lord. But she didn't
she guarded her heart and did not allow it to be hardened.
This term, "hard heart" is used many times in the Bible.
We read in the book of Exodus about the heart of Egypt's
Pharaoh; "Pharaoh's heart is hard; he refuses to let
the people go" (Ex. 7:14). We also see it several
times in the New Testament (John, the Acts, and Hebrews).
If we read it in the literal context it seems as though God
Himself is doing the hardening. However, it is totally against
God's character to do such a thing.
So what do the Scriptures mean by this term? Very simply, it
tells us that God either places or allows trial and tribulation
to come before us so that in the test or trial, our hearts and
minds will yield more to His heart and mind. In Pharaoh's case,
as revealed the book of Exodus, the hardening of Pharaoh's heart
was the divine judgment upon one who already had hardened his
own heart against the Lord by refusing His sovereignty or even
existence. God will never deliberately harden a man's heart,
but always knows the condition of a man's heart and will put
before the man things to cause him to choose between himself
and God. He actually gives us occasion to choose or to resist
His help. As we resist God's wooing, our hearts become callused
to His voice, and our rebellious hearts become hard. These
times or occasions are in the disguise of trials, tribulations,
or suffering. It is during these times our hearts are most
tender and sensitive, making it possible to be either comforted
by God's Spirit or to lean on our own abilities and power. It
is during these times that by trusting in God, our faith grows.
I am reminded of the parable Jesus taught in Matthew 13: 45-46;
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking
beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price,
went and sold all that he had and bought it". In the
parable the merchant is God the great pearl is you, and the
price he paid is Jesus. What is so interesting is how a pearl
is made. It is made by a grain of sand getting inside of an
oyster which causes the oyster irritation. The oyster then
begins to cover the sand with its own habitat which forms a
beautiful pearl. In the same manner we must allow the
irritations and trials of life to form our minds and character
to what God wants us to be. Just as the sun hardens the day and
softens the wax so is the truth upon the heart and mind of man.
The result is not in the sun (or God) but in the material upon
which it shines. It's the curse of sin that makes the heart hard,
when we resist God. God allows trials to come against us to force
us to grow in Him or become failures due to self-sufficiency.
When we feel like being mad at God is exactly the time we
need to turn our hearts and minds towards Him and ask Him what
He is trying to show us so we may grow in wisdom. This attitude
is proof of our faith and trust in God's sovereignty. Romans
2:5 states; "But in accordance with your hardness and
pour impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath
in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment
of God." This scripture tells us that this man has
stored up anger in his heart. This anger becomes an iniquity
(inner sin) which becomes our outlook on life and we then,
looking to be justified, blame God and actually turn against
Him. Oh, what a frightful place to be. In verse 5, we see that
when this happens our own heart judges us. As our heart is
overwhelmed by this, we will eventually loose our trust in
everyone, even God. Romans 5: 3-5 tells us "we also glory
in tribulations, knowing that tabulation produces perseverance;
and perseverance character; and character, hope. Now hope does
not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in
our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us".
It is in these sufferings that we develop a Godly character.
So we must remember when trials come not to harden our hearts,
but rather yield them to God so we can receive hope, grace and
blessings of peace to our minds. We have a choice to make when
trials and difficulties come. You can become bitter or better.
Which will you choose?
David Walls, Sr.
