Daily Journal: 5 January

Don't Harden Your Heart

Isn’t it heart-breaking when someone close starts complaining about us? Doesn’t it feel like a betrayal when they harden their heart against us? It’s heart-breaking if forgiveness and restoration are not sought and experienced.

God experiences that from us all the time.

Have you ever complained about God to friends and not sought His forgiveness? Instead of saying “I’m sorry. I trust you,” we complain about how He is not meeting our needs and we don’t consider how that might be impacting our connection with Him.

When the Israelites complained in the wilderness, God said they hardened their hearts against Him.

Hebrews 3:15 (NLV)

“If you hear His voice today, do not let your hearts become hard as your early fathers did when they turned against Me.”

Despite God looking after them every day, giving them food and water, a cloud by day to keep them cool and a pillar of fire by night to keep them warm, even ensuring their shoes didn’t wear out, they complained about their dissatisfactions.

Don't harden your heart.

It’s not always easy to understand God’s ways but if we believe He is who He says He is in the bible, we make it a choice not to complain. If we have doubts, we make it our responsibility to seek Him for the truth. His truth, not 'our' truth, which can change from one experience to the next. God's truth does not change. God's truth is the same yesterday, today, and forever. That's why it can be trusted.

Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Malachi 3:6 (GNT)

"I am the LORD, and I do not change. And so you, the descendants of Jacob, are not yet completely lost.

We are told we should bring our petitions to this God, with thanksgiving.

Philippians 4:6 (NASB)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

When we give thanks along with bringing our doubts or requests to Him, we cannot complain at the same time. That's being double-minded.

James 1:5-8 (NCV)

But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous to everyone and will give you wisdom without criticizing you. But when you ask God, you must believe and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like a wave in the sea, blown up and down by the wind. Such doubters are thinking two different things at the same time, and they cannot decide about anything they do. They should not think they will receive anything from the Lord.

We come in a manner of trust and submission because He is trust-worthy and His heart is for us.

Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

It’s not about what we say, it’s about what we carry in our hearts.

Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.