Today, harden not your heart…
We have been teaching through the Book of Jude on Wednesday evenings in an in-depth study of God’s holy word. Jude is writing a letter of warning to the believers about contending for the faith by keeping out those apostate teachers who would seek to creep into churches and bring rebellion, unbelief and false teaching contrary to the will and teaching of God and His precious word.
Jude used the judgment of God upon the nation of Israel, as an example to us, when they were in the wilderness after having been set free miraculously by God from the slavery and oppression of Egypt. But, after all that God had done, when they arrived at Kadesh Barnea 10 spies said we can’t go into the Promised Land because it was basically to scary, too difficult and too dangerous! Two spies along with Moses said, we can take the land because God is with us!
So what you say? We as followers of Christ today are told to heed the warning of God’s judgment on Israel at that time – remember all those over the age of 20 years did not enter the Promised Land because they grieved God with their unbelief – Hebrews 3:12-19. They hardened their heart to the things of God.
One of the ways you can ensure that your heart does not end up hardened like those who wandered for 40 years in the wilderness until they died, is to keep in fellowship. Sadly many treat the worship of God with God’s people in the same category as attending any other function, sport, outing, event that the family is involved in through the weekly agenda.
It’s actually a commandment from God.
The writer of Hebrews, who also wrote about the danger of our hearts being hardened along with Jude, also wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit these words, 10: 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
This is not a suggestion but a clear instruction for us to follow. I like God’s commandments, because it means its not a matter of choice for me to make or to decide on.
Keep your heart soft, sensitive to the things of the Lord and you will reap the blessing of entering in to the Promises of God for your life and those for your family. Its as simple as that. Let us gather together unto Him!