Corona Devo 1850

Did your mom or dad ever say this phrase to you in a stern voice: "Don't make me repeat myself..."? 

It was a sentence that was more of a command and a threat: all in one.  This phrase is constructed of words but seems to carry an almost-physical presence (punch!) with it.  (As if-- we don't want the person speaking to have to repeat themselves...or else it will be bad for us.)

"Don't make me repeat myself" is a phrase that makes us listen, and we know that what is being said is muy importante.  (That's Spanish for "very important".)  

Even if we have not been threatened with this phrase-of-warning...we can get the gist of the intended (strong) message: listen well the first time...or else.

Well, God doesn't threaten us with His Words in the Bible (As in: "Don't make me repeat myself..."), but God also doesn't mince His Words.  He doesn't sugar-coat His Truth, and He definitely doesn't pussy-foot around the consequence of sin if we choose it over Him.

As I read Hebrews Chapter 3, I couldn't help but notice that God repeats Himself, and it wasn't about good stuff.  The (poor) behavior of the Israelites had caused Him to repeat Himself because His children weren't listening.  

• So I was angry with them, and I said, ‘Their hearts always turn away from me.  They refuse to do what I tell them.’  (11) So in my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest.’”  ~Hebrews 3:10-11 

• And to whom was God speaking when he took an oath that they would never enter his rest? Wasn’t it the people who disobeyed him? (19) So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest.  ~Hebrews 3:18-19

Because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest.  This same disappointing truth is still true sometimes, some days and in some (sinful) ways with us.  Our unbelief that God can handle what we are facing.  Our disbelief.  Our distrust.  Our discontent.  Our disobedience to God will disallow us to enter his rest everytime.

Are we at unrest?  Is our spirit disturbed within us?  Do we have a lack of peace in our heart or our mind?  

There's a reason.  

And perhaps we've made our Almighty Father repeat Himself through Scripture today because we haven't been listening (or obeying) Him and His Word and His Law. 

When we do not believe in what God says, or make the personal-choices to put His ways in practice in our lives: it disallows us to enter His rest.  It bars us from having God's peace and rest within us.  

Is that what we want?  No...no, it's not.  But then, why aren't we obeying God's Word fully and actively?  Why is there disbelief in our hearts when it comes to trusting God full-heartedly. 

God sees us and our hardened hearts, just as He saw the hearts of the Israelites in the wilderness.  And (even though He has to repeat Himself), God gives us a chance today not to harden our hearts.  

And, guess what?  God repeats Himself twice with the opportunity that He provides for us to begin anew today in our obedience to His message.  Today is a new day, and twice God whispers...says...commands into our ears:

• That is why the Holy Spirit says, “Today when you hear his voice, (8) don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled...  ~Hebrews 3:7-8  

• Remember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.”  ~Hebrews 3:15

So..guys--we've made God repeat Himself, but let's listen up and be changed for the better because of His double-message today.  

Are we listening?  Can we hear His voice?  Then let's not harden our hearts, let's soften them.  Let's open them.  Let's have peace and rest in them.  

(7) That is why the Holy Spirit says, “Today when you hear his voice, (8) don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested me in the wilderness.  (9) There your ancestors tested and tried my patience, even though they saw my miracles for forty years.  

(10) So I was angry with them, and I said, ‘Their hearts always turn away from me.  They refuse to do what I tell them.’  

(11) So in my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest.’” 

(12) Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. (13) You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.

(14) For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. (15) Remember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.”  

(16) And who was it who rebelled against God, even though they heard his voice? Wasn’t it the people Moses led out of Egypt?... (18) And to whom was God speaking when he took an oath that they would never enter his rest? Wasn’t it the people who disobeyed him? (19) So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest.  ~Hebrews 3:7-16, 18-19

Because of the Israelites' unbelief and untrust in God, they missed out on the promises of God.  We do not want that to be us.  I repeat: we do not want to miss out on the promises of the Lord over our lives.  

And so, what can we do?  

“Today when you hear his voice, (8) don’t harden your hearts..."  ~Hebrews 3:7

And...I repeat:

“Today when you hear his voice, (8) don’t harden your hearts..."  ~Hebrews 3:15

Blessings,  

sarah  

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com