Soften Hearts

7b Today, if you hear his voice,
8  do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah,
as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,
9  when your fathers put me to the test
and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work. PSALM 95:7b-9

In today's text, the psalmist reminds us not to harden our hearts towards God, especially when we face challenges and uncertainties in our lives. The Israelites' journey from Exodus 17 and Numbers 20 in the wilderness teaches us the importance of trusting God and not putting Him to the test.

As we go through our day-to-day lives, we often find ourselves faced with trials, doubts, and fears. It is during these moments that our faith is tested. The story of the Israelites at Meribah and Massah is an example of how easy it is to forget God's numerous miracles and provisions when we face hardship.

The Israelites had seen God's power and faithfulness firsthand; He had delivered them from slavery in Egypt and provided for them in the wilderness. Yet, when they encountered difficulty, their hearts were hardened, and they tested God. We must learn from their experience and avoid making the same mistake by remembering God's promises and deliverance.

Dear Church, as we meditate on today's text, let us look to the cross and remember the work Christ has finished on our behalf. With softened hearts, let us continue to trust and obey Him. In our times of trial, may we not harden our hearts but instead find strength in His grace and the knowledge that He has already won the victory for us.