hard spots
"Oh, that today you would hear His voice: 'Harden not your hearts.' " —Psalm 95:7-8
Jeremiah fearlessly proclaimed that the people would not listen to God, had turned their backs on God, and were stiff-necked (Jer 7:24, 26). They had hardened their hearts.
Jesus delivered a man from an evil spirit that kept the man mute. The Pharisees did not rejoice, but accused Jesus of having the devil at work in Him (Lk 11:15). They were hard of heart.
Where are the hard spots in your life? Possibly you mistakenly think long-time works of the Spirit to be merely human traditions. Maybe you're not hardened to the old, but you doubt any new work of the Spirit. You may be hard of heart toward a particular denomination, country, or race. Are you open to God working in North Korea? Have you tried lately to have Christian fellowship with brothers and sisters of a different race?
Often we're hard of heart closer to home. How many husbands actually listen to their wives? How many wives can see past the faults of their husbands? How many parents can accept their children right where they are? We all have hard spots. Only Jesus can touch and soften the human heart.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Prayer: Father, during this Lent, crack the crust around my heart; peel it off, melt me, and make my heart like Yours.
Promise: "But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out devils, then the reign of God is upon you." —Lk 11:20
Praise: Lorie forgave the woman who committed adultery with her husband.
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 8, 2013
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