Inviting A Hardened Heart

# 52 – Today's Du-votional comes from 1Sa 3:12-14 "In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13 "For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them. 14 "And therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever." Chilling! The opportunity for repentance withdrawn completely. Iniquity, (depraved actions or sin) that God would not accept atonement for, forever clinging to Eli, his sons, and even future generations! Yes, God is a merciful God, but mercy comes by His prerogative, not by our demand. Listen to Rom 9:16,18 “So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. 18 Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.” God willed hardened hearts for Eli and his posterity. Yes, you can push God too far. We live in a time where people seem to think they can live as they please, then simply confess their sins, tell God they are sorry, receive His forgiveness, and move on. But this passage in Romans serves as a reminder that repentance is not a matter of our will, it is something that God produces in our hearts. It is called godly sorrow over our sin. It is this Holy Spirit produced godly sorrow that leads to repentance and forgiveness. When David was confronted by Nathan with his sins of murder and adultery, God granted David the gift of repentance. Listen to the verbal exchange in 2Sa 12:13 So David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." And Nathan said to David, "The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die. Genuine repentance is a gift from God and presumptuous sinning is an invitation to a hardened heart. No wonder the psalmist prayed: Ps 19:13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression.Inviting A Hardened Heart