The irony of the story of the Israelites in the desert is that they display a hardness of heart here that is every bit as severe as that of Pharaoh. Like Pharaoh, the Israelites are witnessing miracle after miracle and yet they are still refusing to heed God. In fact, if anything, the Israelites are worse than Pharaoh because God was acting against Pharaoh and even hardening his heart in the process, whereas here God was acting for the Israelites and providing for them in the most wonderful ways. It would get to the point with this generation when they would be denied entrance into the promised land by their continual refusal to trust God. Whenever you step out in faith and trust God in an area of your life it has the effect of further opening your heart toward God. But when you refuse to trust God, when you take things into your own hands, then it only serves to harden your heart further. The writer of Psalm 95 issues a warning in this respect and it is based on the account of Israel’s grumbling in Exodus 17. He says: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did… in the desert”. This Psalm was written to draw the lesson from Israel’s response to God here in Exodus 17. Your response to God in hard times will have an ongoing effect in your life. In these times you can express your pain and confusion as many Psalms do, but don’t let go of God. Trust him in spite of your circumstances and you will find that this decision will resonate through the rest of your life.
Entrust to God the area of your life that is concerning you the most.
Read Exodus 17:1-7 & Psalm 95
