How should believers respond when encountering resistance to God's message? God’s Sovereign Hand in Hardened Hearts • Exodus 7:3: “But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt.” • The Lord openly declares responsibility for Pharaoh’s stubbornness, showing that resistance is never outside His control. • He uses opposition to showcase His power, vindicate His name, and strengthen the faith of His people. Why Resistance Never Excuses Silence • The same God who hardens hearts also commands His servants to speak (Exodus 7:2). • Acts 5:29: “We must obey God rather than men.” Obedience remains the guiding principle even when ears are closed. • God alone changes hearts; believers simply deliver His message (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). Practical Ways to Stand Firm • Keep proclaiming truth clearly and lovingly, never diluting or reshaping it. • Expect rejection without discouragement (John 15:18-19). Hatred toward the message confirms its divine origin. • Anchor courage in prayer and the Spirit’s empowerment (Acts 4:29-31). • Maintain patience; God’s timetable may differ from ours (James 5:7-8). • Respond with gentleness and respect, guarding personal holiness (1 Peter 3:15-16). • Persevere with joy, knowing labor in the Lord is never wasted (1 Corinthians 15:58). Scripture Reinforcement • Romans 9:18: “Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.” • 2 Timothy 4:2: “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.” • Matthew 5:11-12: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.” Living It Out Today • View resistance as a stage for God’s greater display, not as a personal failure. • Commit to daily faithfulness—sowing seeds of truth and leaving results to the Lord. • Encourage one another to endure; shared testimony of God’s faithfulness fuels collective boldness. God’s servants speak, God softens or hardens, and through it all His glory shines. |
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