Harden Hearts

For again Isaiah said,

"He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them." John 12:39b-40

Today's verses may seem harsh at first glance, but they remind us of the consequences of rejecting the truth of God's Word. The passage is from the prophet Isaiah, who spoke of God's judgment on those who refused to accept His truth.

And he said, "Go, and say to this people:

"'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.'

Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes;

lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed." Isaiah 6:9–10

These verses remind us that there are consequences for turning away from God's truth. The more we reject His message, the harder our hearts become and the less likely we are to turn back to Him.

However, the good news is that it's never too late to turn back to God. Even if our hearts have hardened, God can soften them with His love and grace. He is always ready to welcome us back with open arms, no matter how far we have strayed.

In John 12:40, Isaiah speaks of the importance of seeing with our eyes and understanding with our hearts. We must not only hear the Word of God but also take it to heart and apply it to our lives. When we do this, we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, transforming us from the inside out.

Dear Church, let us pray for the Holy Spirit to open our eyes so that we may see and receive the truth of God's Word. May we always remember that God is gracious and merciful, ready to forgive and restore us when we turn back to Him. Amen.