Hearken

Hearken
Today, if you will hear His voice: “Do not harden your hearts…”—Psalm 95: 7-8
I have stumbled many times, but each time—I must confess—God spoke to me and warned me before I fell. The problem was, I didn’t heed that warning. I didn’t hearken unto God’s voice.
Sometimes, when God’s voice breaks through and He gives us a warning about something we are about to do, we say, “Thanks, Lord, but I don’t need any help there. I know what I’m doing.” The truth is, we don’t know what we are doing. And we do need His help.
As He addresses the seven churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, Jesus repeats the same warning to each: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
**The opposite of heeding is hardening.
If you don’t heed the voice of God, you will end up hardening yourself to hearing God.
We sometimes harden ourselves to God’s voice because we don’t understand the painful or difficult circumstances we find ourselves in. But there is another option. Instead of becoming bitter, instead of spending sleepless nights worrying about our problems, we can remember that God is working through the pain to purify us and mold us into the image of Jesus. We can turn those problems over to Him and trust that He will work out His perfect plan.
One choice pleases God—listening and trusting Him.
Father, help us to keep ourselves ever attentive to Your voice. When difficulties come, remind us that You are in control of all things, and that You are able to work through our situation to bring about Your will. We want to please You, Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.