But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, Pharaoh will not listen to you. Exodus 7:3-4a ESV

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26

Have you heard the Bible story of Moses leading God’s people out of Egypt? God’s people, the Israelites, were slaves in Egypt. They made bricks for the king of Egypt, Pharaoh. God sent Moses to tell Pharaoh to let God’s people go so they could go into the wilderness to worship God. But Pharaoh said no. It says in the Bible that Pharaoh’s heart was hardened. Pharaoh did finally let the Israelites go after God showed His mighty power. Your parents can help you find the whole story in Exodus 7-10. We do have an amazing God!

A heart that is hardened does not fear or respect who God is. A hardened heart does not want to do God’s will or seek to know God. A hardened heart does not understand the things of God or the things He likes for us to do. Things like loving God and others, being kind, telling the truth, and helping people.

We can have a hardened heart or an open (softened) heart. If you go to church because you love God and Jesus and want to learn more about them, you probably have an open heart. If you go to church only because you have to and you don’t want to listen to the teaching or even be there, you may have a hardened heart.

There is only one way to soften, or open, a hardened heart. And that is with God’s love and grace. Our second verse is from Ezekiel, who was a prophet; he spoke God’s words to the people. In Ezekiel’s time God’s people had hardened their hearts, they had worshipped idols and did not do the things that they knew God liked. But God told them that He would give them a new heart instead of their hard heart of stone. God would give them a new spirit that would seek God’s ways.

This week, think about your heart. Talk with your parents about what kind of heart you have. If it is hardened, ask God to soften and open your heart to Him. Learn about God and Jesus and their promises to you and do those things that they would like you to do. Have an open heart to learn and live for God.

Blessings and joy and an open heart for God!