Hearts Like Flint
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Hearts Like Flint
Zechariah was a prophet, who foretold a lot about our Savior 500 years before Jesus was born. Because Zechariah’s prophecies came true in Jesus Christ, we can be very sure that he honestly was speaking for God Almighty. With that sort of assurance, it is good to really pay attention and apply Zechariah’s words our lives today.
For instance, in Zechariah 1:3, we read,
“Return to Me,” declares the LORD of hosts, “that I may return to you.”
Zechariah explained how the ancestors of these Israelites refused to listen to the prophets of God in their day. Their refusal to listen brought all sorts of troubles on them, as they were captured and dragged into captivity. But, when the hearts of the people turned back to the LORD in repentance, God gladly turned to them in compassion.
To give more emphasis on his point, Zechariah writes in chapter 7:9-14,
Thus has the LORD of hosts said, “Dispense true justice, and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother, and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.”
But they refused to pay attention, and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing. And they made their hearts like flint, so that they could not hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets; therefore great wrath came from the LORD of hosts.
“And it came about that just as He called and they would not listen, so they called and I would not listen,” says the LORD of hosts; “but I scattered them with a storm wind among all the nations whom they have not known.”
God’s word is eternal — so we can be sure that if we refuse to listen to God’s word, and make our “hearts like flint”, we’re going to experience the same sort of discipline from the Lord. If we choose to “stop our ears from hearing” how God wants us to live in faith, hope, and love, then we will have to face God’s wrath.
The people of Zechariah’s day had the promise of the Savior — but, we actually have the Savior. We have proof that God keeps all His promises. If we still refuse to turn to the Lord, we will deserve a greater punishment. Many people will snorkel at this and with raised eyebrows, say, “What a nut!” But, what about Hebrews 12:25, which says,
See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less shall we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven.
So, instead of being really nutty and refusing to listen, we need to forget about the foolish mocking of this world, and sensibly turn back to God, our Savior and Redeemer. We’ll be glad we did.
In the joy of listening to God’s words of love to us, we say, “Hallelujah! My Lord, it’s so good to be close to You!”
Love,
Margaret
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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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