August 31
The Provocation
Hebrews 3: 7-8

  1. Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear his voice,
  2. Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

The "provocation" was when the Israelites, after being delivered from Egypt, saw the many miracles which God did to deliver them and provide for them along the way, yet, they still were fearful and did not believe He could give them the promised land even after all they saw Him do (See Numbers 14:22).

The writer of Hebrews here is quoting Psalm 95:7-11 and makes it applicable to us today.  After seeing all that God has done for us and after all He’s provided for us at the great price of the suffering of His Son Jesus Christ, we need to see to it that we don’t harden our hearts and refuse to partake of what Jesus has bought and paid for us.

We should desire to take advantage of all that He provided for in His suffering, death and resurrection because He suffered and paid for it whether or not we ever partake of it!  Jesus provided many things for us, not just for when we’re in Heaven but for while we’re here on earth as well.  We need to receive and partake of all that He’s provided.  God wants us to, by faith, take full advantage of what He’s provided because He paid a great price for it.

 

Confession:

I will not harden my heart to the Holy Spirit.  I will not tempt the Lord God by being fearful or unbelieving concerning the promised land He has provided for me.

 

Obedience is a tree of life!