Harden Not Your Heart
Those of us who are familiar with the 1662 Second Edition of the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) of the Church of England will still have this quotation ring a bell in our minds because it is one of the verses in Venite, Exultemus Domino (Psalm 95), “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on that day at Massah in the wilderness…” This Psalm is also quoted in Hebrews 4:7: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”
Every Christian hears the voice of God, and it is always important to listen and obey; we must not pretend that we are not hearing His voice. It is important to note that temptation is always there for us to set aside the voice of God and do what we feel is right, but it will lead nowhere because it is not from God.
We hear the voice of God in different ways, and we must always discern that voice. The voice of God can be heard through the devotional study of His word, through constant prayers, through our sisters and brothers in the Lord, through our fellowships, experiences, prophesies, etc. The question worthy of meditation is whether we are allowing the voice of God to impact our actions, decisions, and way of life. If we accept God as our shepherd, we will hear His voice, and He will also listen to ours.
Jesus did nothing without listening to the voice of the Father and being always obedient to Him. He could have done his own thing, but he listened and humbled himself to death on the cross. This is the example that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ presents to all of us: to listen to and obey the voice of God, open our hearts to it, and not harden our hearts.
Notices
There is a PCC Meeting immediately after Mass.
Please take note that the launching of the Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Association has been moved to 5th November.
We will start Live streaming of Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer on Monday.
We need volunteers to work as sides people to support the Church Wardens before, during and after worship by welcoming people to church.
Please sign up to read the scriptures during divine worship.
Please support the church generously through your giving at www.stanselm.co.uk/giving