Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness, Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, And saw My works forty years. Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart, And they have not known My ways.’ So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’” (Hebrews 03:07-11, NKJV).
Far more serious than hardening of the arteries is the hardening of the human heart itself, not physiologically but spiritually.
What are the presenting symptoms?
Rebellion and an arrogant tempting and testing attitude toward God.
The inevitable result is the pouring out of God's wrath.
These verses in Hebrews are a New Testament quotation of Psalm 95:7-11. As is all Scripture, the ultimate author of the Psalm is the Holy Spirit, regardless of who the human writer might be, and this direct attribution reaffirms our understanding that God is the source of His Word, not men. The Bible is God's revelation to His creatures. To deny that, or ignore that, is yet another symptom of a hardened heart.
In the midst of this warning is God graciously imploring us to hear Him now, today, before the heart disease progresses to incurability.
Paradoxically, humans at their core seek peace; peace of mind, a peaceful environment, relief from guilt and regret. Yet those who have allowed their hearts to harden end up pursuing the opposite by their tempting God with overt unbelief and enmity.
That is what the Children of Israel did in the Wilderness.
They wanted to return to Egypt for their coveted cucumbers and leeks. They decried this vile manna that provided nourishment at little expense or effort. They defamed Moses, their Deliverer, for bringing them into what they willfully viewed as a God-forsaken desert, and for putting himself forward as their leader.
These were all complaints against God, stupidly impugning His righteousness, care, and provision.
And that is another symptom: stupidity.
When you neglect to follow God, when you cease believing in His goodness, when you put yourself, rather than Him, on the throne, you quickly become an idiot.
There is no other way to describe the foolishness of those who worship the creature rather than the Creator. Instead of following the sensible, rational course, these rebels go astray, from the inside out. What begins in the mind, will and emotions (the scriptural meaning of heart), manifests in time and space as surely as death follows birth.
The result is that the peace that is sought becomes increasingly unreachable, and God Himself will prevent rest.
It is fitting that this should be so, for how could a Holy God who desires that none should perish reward such self-destructive behavior?
For nearly forty years He made His presence known to Israel daily, as a Cloud of Glory during the day and a Pillar of Fire by night. For forty years he supplied them supernaturally with food and indestructible garments and sandals. For forty years he directed their wanderings and gave them His Law through Moses, who spoke with God face-to-face. His Presence was unmistakable.
Yet, their willful unbelief prevailed, and all but two of that generation of wanderers died in the Wilderness.
The freedom to choose is a harrowing thing, utterly fateful, leading either to eternal life or eternal damnation. Because we are born in sin, the default is damnation. The only escape is to soften your heart and believe.
There is ample evidence for God's existence and desire. His power is declared in nature. His love is declared at the Cross of His Son, and His Word reveals His great and good purposes towards us.
Take the warning to heart and hear His voice calling you today.
Before it is too late.
