But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?
— Mark 8:17-18 (NKJ)
The condition of the heart is up to each person. The word of God tells us that we are to break up the hardened ground. We are to be aware of the soil and its condition and do something about it. We are to make the soil soft to receive the planting of God’s truth.
The above verse is talking about what the disciples saw, witnessed and experienced. They were there for the feeding of the five thousand and the feeding of the four thousand. Yet, their hearts were hardened. They did not remember, They did not make the choice to bring to mind what was done in their presence. They were there and still their hearts were hard.
For it is with the heart one believes. The old saying of “seeing is believing” is really not true. Pharoah saw, the Israelites saw, the 70 elders saw, the disciples saw but they did not believe with their hearts. They did not believe God was who He declared Himself to be. They did not see Him as trustworthy, good, caring, and providing.
All of His names declare to us who He is…. The Eternal Provider, Eternal Healer, Eternal Victory, Eternal Peace, Eternal One who sets apart, Eternal Shepherd, Eternal Righteousness, Eternally Present. This is who God is and who we see Him to be in the life of Jesus.
It is crucial that we remind ourselves of who God says He is and not what our circumstances or other people say He is. Only when we know, remember and believe His character of trustworthiness do we live a life of faith. We are the ones who choose a soft heart.
“The amount of permeating light depends upon the beliefs of your heart”.
It Was Tangible