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Psalm 95:7, 8 - When You Hear His Voice Do Not Harden Your Heart!

Psalm 95:7-8 (NKJV) Today, if you will 
hear His voice: Do not harden your hearts, as in 
the rebellion  

Psalm 95:7, 8 (NCV) Today listen to what 
he says: Do not be stubborn, as your 
ancestors  

WORD STUDY

Today. The phrase suggests that it is high 
time for a momentous decision. Gods commands 
and invitations should be obeyed and accepted at 
once. As often as the Christian repeats this 
psalm, he should realize anew the force of the 
emphatic today. As often as he proves faithless 
to God, he should hear anew the gracious 
today, promising him forgiveness and restoration. 
[SDA Bible Commentary] 

Hardening One's Heart is one of the worst 
choices.one can make, because a person is convinced 
about truth by the Holy Spirit but does not want 
to surrender and follow God's voice (see Ex. 
7:13-14, 22 [Pharaoh's hardening]; 17:1-7 [the 
incident at Rephidim]; Num. 20:1-13 [one of the 
wilderness experiences]). Such an attitude grieves God 
because in this case He cannot help. He respects our 
choice and decision. [Andrews SB] 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   Pam, one of my best friends, is a 
personal trainer. When I pulled a muscle in my back 
recently, I asked her to teach me some stretches that 
could help strengthen the area. As she showed me 
different moves, she emphasized the need to lean into 
each stretch for at least thirty seconds. 
   Apparently, muscles have a defensive 
reflex for protection. When engaged, they 
automatically tighten as a way to avoid being stretched 
too far. Pam told me I needed to remain in each 
position, waiting for the reflex to let go. After that 
is when the change occurs and the muscle 
extends. 
   I have a defensive reflex when I read my 
Bible. I automatically think of someone else who 
could benefit from that day's message. It's my way 
of avoiding any self-introspection and the 
possibility I'll discover a change I need to make. In my 
deflecting, I can even go as far as snapping a photo of 
the scripture and texting it to whomever I feel 
needs to be inspired. If I end my prayer time 
there, however, I'll never really stretch my own 
spiritual muscles. 
   It takes a lot of discipline, but when I 
lean into the passage, beyond my reflex to let it 
go, I stretch my own spiritual muscles to better 
hear what Jesus has to say. There are times His 
instruction extends me further than my comfort, but like 
a personal trainer, my Spiritual Trainer 
provides the exercises I need to get stronger. Claire 
McGarry 
   Faith Step: Challenge yourself to remain 
in a Scripture passage for as long as possible. 
When you're inclined to walk away, stay and lean 
into the lesson, listening for Jesus's personal 
training instructions for you. [Mornings With Jesus 
2023 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan taken 
fm Hebrews 3:15a] 

COMMENTARY APPLICATION

A hardened heart is as useless as a hardened 
lump of clay or a hardened loaf of bread. Nothing 
can restore it and make it useful. The psalmist 
warns against hardening our hearts as Israel did 
in the desert by continuing to resist God's 
will (Exodus 17:7). They were so convinced that 
God couldn't deliver them that they simply lost 
their faith in him. When someone's heart becomes 
hardened, that person is so stubbornly set in his ways 
that he or she cannot turn to God. This does not 
happen all at once; it is the result of a series of 
choices to disregard God's will. If you resist God 
long enough, God may toss you aside like hardened 
bread, useless and worthless.  [Life Application 
SB] 

The writer of Hebrews returns to this psalm 
two times, quoting or alluding to it in 
3:7"11, 15, and 4:3, 5"11. The psalm recalls 
Israels refusal during the Exodus to obey God and 
enter the Promised Land. That failure to obey led 
to 40 years of wandering in a wilderness until 
an entire generation died. This psalm 
celebrates God as the great King. We acknowledge His 
Lordship by responding when we hear His voice. Only 
by showing respect to God as King and Lord, and 
obeying His voice, can we find rest. [The 365-Day 
Devotional Commentary] 

The writer of Hebrews quotes this verse 
three times in one short section of his letter 
(Heb. 3:7, 8, 15; 4:7) to encourage his readers to 
listen carefully to God and to demonstrate their 
faith by obeying Him. [Life Principles SB By 
Charles Stanley] 

Christ is ready to set us free from sin, but 
He does not force the will; and if by 
persistent transgression the will itself is wholly bent 
on evil, and we do not desire to be set free, 
if we will not accept His grace, what more can 
He do? We have destroyed ourselves by our 
determined rejection of His love. "Behold, now is the 
accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 
"Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your 
hearts." 2 Corinthians 6:2; Hebrews 3:7, 8. {SC 34} 

CROSS REFERENCES FOR FURTHER STUDY

Hebrews 3:7, 8 (KJV) Wherefore (as the Holy 
Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 
Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in 
the day of temptation in the wilderness: 

Hebrews 3:15 (KJV) While it is said, To day 
if ye will hear his voice, harden not your 
hearts, as in the provocation. 

Hebrews 4:7 (KJV) Again, he limiteth a 
certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long 
a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear 
his voice, harden not your hearts. 

2 Corinthians 6:2 (NKJV) For He says: "In an 
acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of 
salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the 
accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.  

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY

Psalm 95:7, 8 - When You Hear His Voice Do 
Not Harden Your Heart! 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2011/20110426-1037.html 

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