Psalm 95:7, 8 - When You Hear His Voice Do Not Harden Your Heart!
Psalm 95:7-8 (NKJV) Today, if you will
hear His voice: Do not harden your hearts, as in
the rebellion
Psalm 95:7, 8 (NCV) Today listen to what
he says: Do not be stubborn, as your
ancestors
WORD STUDY
Today. The phrase suggests that it is high
time for a momentous decision. Gods commands
and invitations should be obeyed and accepted at
once. As often as the Christian repeats this
psalm, he should realize anew the force of the
emphatic today. As often as he proves faithless
to God, he should hear anew the gracious
today, promising him forgiveness and restoration.
[SDA Bible Commentary]
Hardening One's Heart is one of the worst
choices.one can make, because a person is convinced
about truth by the Holy Spirit but does not want
to surrender and follow God's voice (see Ex.
7:13-14, 22 [Pharaoh's hardening]; 17:1-7 [the
incident at Rephidim]; Num. 20:1-13 [one of the
wilderness experiences]). Such an attitude grieves God
because in this case He cannot help. He respects our
choice and decision. [Andrews SB]
COMMENTARY PEARL
Pam, one of my best friends, is a
personal trainer. When I pulled a muscle in my back
recently, I asked her to teach me some stretches that
could help strengthen the area. As she showed me
different moves, she emphasized the need to lean into
each stretch for at least thirty seconds.
Apparently, muscles have a defensive
reflex for protection. When engaged, they
automatically tighten as a way to avoid being stretched
too far. Pam told me I needed to remain in each
position, waiting for the reflex to let go. After that
is when the change occurs and the muscle
extends.
I have a defensive reflex when I read my
Bible. I automatically think of someone else who
could benefit from that day's message. It's my way
of avoiding any self-introspection and the
possibility I'll discover a change I need to make. In my
deflecting, I can even go as far as snapping a photo of
the scripture and texting it to whomever I feel
needs to be inspired. If I end my prayer time
there, however, I'll never really stretch my own
spiritual muscles.
It takes a lot of discipline, but when I
lean into the passage, beyond my reflex to let it
go, I stretch my own spiritual muscles to better
hear what Jesus has to say. There are times His
instruction extends me further than my comfort, but like
a personal trainer, my Spiritual Trainer
provides the exercises I need to get stronger. Claire
McGarry
Faith Step: Challenge yourself to remain
in a Scripture passage for as long as possible.
When you're inclined to walk away, stay and lean
into the lesson, listening for Jesus's personal
training instructions for you. [Mornings With Jesus
2023 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan taken
fm Hebrews 3:15a]
COMMENTARY APPLICATION
A hardened heart is as useless as a hardened
lump of clay or a hardened loaf of bread. Nothing
can restore it and make it useful. The psalmist
warns against hardening our hearts as Israel did
in the desert by continuing to resist God's
will (Exodus 17:7). They were so convinced that
God couldn't deliver them that they simply lost
their faith in him. When someone's heart becomes
hardened, that person is so stubbornly set in his ways
that he or she cannot turn to God. This does not
happen all at once; it is the result of a series of
choices to disregard God's will. If you resist God
long enough, God may toss you aside like hardened
bread, useless and worthless. [Life Application
SB]
The writer of Hebrews returns to this psalm
two times, quoting or alluding to it in
3:7"11, 15, and 4:3, 5"11. The psalm recalls
Israels refusal during the Exodus to obey God and
enter the Promised Land. That failure to obey led
to 40 years of wandering in a wilderness until
an entire generation died. This psalm
celebrates God as the great King. We acknowledge His
Lordship by responding when we hear His voice. Only
by showing respect to God as King and Lord, and
obeying His voice, can we find rest. [The 365-Day
Devotional Commentary]
The writer of Hebrews quotes this verse
three times in one short section of his letter
(Heb. 3:7, 8, 15; 4:7) to encourage his readers to
listen carefully to God and to demonstrate their
faith by obeying Him. [Life Principles SB By
Charles Stanley]
Christ is ready to set us free from sin, but
He does not force the will; and if by
persistent transgression the will itself is wholly bent
on evil, and we do not desire to be set free,
if we will not accept His grace, what more can
He do? We have destroyed ourselves by our
determined rejection of His love. "Behold, now is the
accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."
"Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your
hearts." 2 Corinthians 6:2; Hebrews 3:7, 8. {SC 34}
CROSS REFERENCES FOR FURTHER STUDY
Hebrews 3:7, 8 (KJV) Wherefore (as the Holy
Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 8
Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in
the day of temptation in the wilderness:
Hebrews 3:15 (KJV) While it is said, To day
if ye will hear his voice, harden not your
hearts, as in the provocation.
Hebrews 4:7 (KJV) Again, he limiteth a
certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long
a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear
his voice, harden not your hearts.
2 Corinthians 6:2 (NKJV) For He says: "In an
acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of
salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the
accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY
Psalm 95:7, 8 - When You Hear His Voice Do
Not Harden Your Heart!
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2011/20110426-1037.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
https://abible.com/links/
