Psalms 95:6 “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. 7 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.”
Old Testament Israel was warned to “Harden not your heart”; that is, to not harden their hearts to not believe God’s Word and not obey His Commandments. Their ancestors did harden their hearts “in the provocation”, “in the day of temptation” while they were sojourning in “the wilderness”; and they suffered miserably because of it. The New Testament Church is also reminded and likewise warned as they were: “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;” (Romans 2:5) and “But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:13). People and Churches greatly imperil themselves when they allow themselves to be lulled into viewing the Church as a club or organization to participate in when there is nothing else to do or when you have time. And, some become so lax that they think they can mix the sins of this world with Church and nothing will happen. But, Paul clearly warned us this way, “Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” (Romans 11:20-22). Let us prayerfully resolve to lovingly and worshipfully “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). Let us take Isaiah’s exhortation and warning to heart: “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” (Isaiah 1:19-20)!