Hard Heart

I have had to really fight the condition of having a hard heart. I have been duped many times by people appearing to be having a hard time providing for their family and they ask for help. I remember being conned early in ministry, when the town drunk gave me a sad story about needing money for food. I gave him all I had and learned later that I really helped him buy more liquor.

The Word says that the Lord had hardened Pharaoh’s heart. God had obviously dealt with Pharaoh many times and at many levels. I really believe that God was trying to reach Pharaoh and soften his heart but was met with serious rebellion. I believe at the end of the day, Pharaoh was wicked and evil. The Lord says some serious and sobering statements to Pharaoh through Moses and Aaron. Check this out…

13 Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Get up early in the morning, confront Pharaoh and say to him, “This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: let my people go, so that they may worship me, 14 or this time I will send the full force of my plagues against you and against your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like me in all the earth. 15 For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth. 16 But I have spared you for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. (Exodus 9:13-16 NIV)

I believe the condition of a hard heart can be deadly to me as a believer. I also believe that I walk out my faith daily with the Lord, He can help keep my heart soft and shapeable by Him and for Him. Keeping my heart in check is one of the most important responsibilities I have as a follower of Jesus. The Lord created me and built me to bring honor to Him. He is the doting Dad over His kids. He is the Keeper of my heart. Just like my physical heart needs me to eat healthy and exercise – my spiritual heart needs healthy intake of His Word and His teaching that also is expressed in worship and praise.

I’m daily seeking the Lord’s help about whom I should help. I don’t want to become jaded or cynical – which is a sign of a hard heart.  He knows each situation I face. I’ve talked to Him often about helping me to keep my heart healthy. He is all over that!

Pressing On!

Dwayne