Don't let your heart get hard!

​In Hebrews 3:1-11, we are given a powerful reminder to keep our hearts soft and receptive to the voice of God. The letter to the Hebrews was written to early Christians who had begun their journey with Jesus but were facing the temptation to turn back to their old ways. The author of Hebrews challenges them to remain faithful, warning them not to let their hearts become hardened by the troubles they were facing. Just as Moses led the people of Israel, Jesus is the one who leads us, and His role is far greater. We must, therefore, continually “consider Jesus,” as Hebrews 3:1 tells us, because He is the one who helps us navigate life’s challenges.

Moses was a faithful servant of God, and he did many miraculous things by the power of God, including leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. However, as great as Moses was, Jesus is far superior. The comparison is clear: while Moses was a servant in God’s house, Jesus is the builder of the house. Jesus is not just a leader; He is the one who created and sustains all things. When we understand this, it becomes even more important for us to follow His voice and not allow our hearts to grow cold or distant.

The Israelites saw many miracles during their time in the wilderness. They experienced God’s provision in miraculous ways—water from a rock, manna from heaven, and guidance through a pillar of fire. Yet, despite these daily demonstrations of God’s power, their hearts grew hard. They grumbled and complained, and ultimately, many of them turned away from God. This serves as a sobering reminder that witnessing miracles does not guarantee a soft heart. What God desires from us is faith and obedience, even when we face trials.

In our lives today, it can be easy to slip into a pattern of complaint or bitterness when things don’t go the way we expect. We might pray and feel like our prayers aren’t answered the way we want, or we may face ongoing struggles that make us question God's plan. However, Hebrews warns us to guard our hearts. When we face hardships, we have a choice—either to grumble and turn away, or to trust in Jesus, knowing that He is with us and has a future full of hope in store for us.

The Bible teaches us that all sin begins in the heart. That’s why it’s crucial for us to take care of our hearts and minds, being mindful of what we allow to take root. Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our hearts above all else, because it determines the course of our lives. If we allow bitterness, fear, or anger to take hold, it will lead us away from God. Instead, we are called to stay connected to His Word and His ways, keeping our hearts soft and receptive to His leading.

One practical step we can take is to become students of the Bible. Knowing God’s Word allows us to discern His will for our lives and helps us to remain steadfast in faith, even when the path is difficult. Waiting until we face a crisis to turn to Scripture can leave us feeling overwhelmed, but by building a foundation on God’s Word now, we prepare ourselves for whatever comes our way.

Let’s also remember that chasing after signs and miracles won’t sustain our faith. The Israelites saw God work wonders every day, but it didn’t prevent their hearts from growing hard. What keeps us grounded is not seeing miracles, but cultivating a daily relationship with Jesus through prayer and obedience to His Word. That’s where true spiritual growth happens.

In this season, let’s resist the temptation to complain or grow bitter, and instead fix our eyes on Jesus. He is faithful, and He has done, is doing, and will continue to do far more than we could ever ask or imagine. Let’s take time to consider Jesus every day and trust that His plans for us are good, even when we don’t fully understand them.

- Adapted from the sermons preached across our 3 campuses on 10/13/24.