APRIL 6–12: HARDENED HEARTS
Come Follow Me “Remember This Day, in Which Ye Came Out from Egypt” Exodus 7–13
A hard heart. You’ve met them. You’ve carried them. A stubbornness to prove you’re right. Like Pharaoh who would not allow the Hebrews a weekend off to worship their god - for that was all that Moses initially asked him for.
It’s interesting to keep in mind that anger is, in truth, a manifestation of fear. Fear that you might be wrong? Fear of change? That someone else might know more? Be more powerful? Guess what. There are a lot of people who know more and are more powerful than us, and it might be those we take our anger out on.
Above all, there is a Father and Son who know us better than we know ourselves. Are you afraid of them? Or the change they offer?
I gather weekly with those coming from incarceration. Occasionally there will be someone new who sits in the back, eyes blaring, arms firmly crossed over chest- the protective stance that shouts - stay away! I’ve seen that stance disappear in only minutes after listening to a song that testifies of Christ. With tears running down their faces their stance softens into a plea to be held - by the Savior. ‘My heart was doing hard time, pleading ‘Jesus!’, .. (he) Said I’m wanted for a diff’rent reason .. I found freedom on the inside.’
On The Inside - Andrew Ripp
As I get to bring the Lord’s love to these friends through music, they often return the favor, sharing with me songs and artists that are meaningful to them. Katy Nicole is on those charts, with words of raw anguish turning into gentle hope. ‘I’ve got so many questions and so much - fear.. This war inside is flesh and spirit, and it feels like flesh is gonna win it.’
An Honest Conversation - Katy Nicole
Pharaoh’s heart would not soften. Not through plagues that would culminate in the death of his own son, even as the Hebrews marked with the blood of a lamb were protected - a pass-over of the angel of death, remembered ever since.
For Christians, observance of Passover rituals has been replaced by partaking of communion or sacrament, though each uses profound symbols for remembrance. A new year or a renewed birth; blood of a slain lamb; bread- unleavened in haste to remove former cultures, a body broken on a cross; bitter herbs and a bitter cup. All symbols testify of Jesus Christ and His Messianic mission of freeing all from the bondage of sin, and death. ‘Jesus, the Lamb of God, Oh what a savior; You took the altar and made it a table.’ Remember the Lord’s grace in protecting us. Of His delivering us. Remember to keep Him in our hearts with humility and gratitude.
Remember - Steffany Gretzinger
Here is an invitation to join in a healing prayer - to let go of whatever fear is in your heart. Allow hardness in your heart to break. Allow divine hands to hold your hidden tenderness, and reshape it. There is joy to be found, joy to be had. ‘I am found. I am yours. I am loved. I’m made pure. ... I am healed. I am free!’
Here’s My Heart - Casting Crowns
Find freedom - on the inside.