Would you consider yourself a stubborn person? Now, let’s be honest now! But if you stubbornly refuse to think so, do you know any stubborn people? Stubbornness may be defined as “Refusing to change one’s mind or course of action despite pressure to do so; unyielding or resolute.” It is amazing how stubborn the human heart can be. We can be quite stubborn with regards to what brands we purchase, where we shop, who we vote for, what shows we watch, what hobbies and habits we engage in.
While stubbornness typically has a negative connotation in today’s world, it actually can be vital for us to thrive. I prefer the synonym “resolute.” We need a little resolve in our lives to stand up to the evil and pressures of the world today. In warfare, stubbornness is absolutely imperative. To stand firm as the bullets fly by, unwilling to give up on the mission and well being of our fellow soldiers. Stubbornness is very important in our everyday living. I want my children to be stubborn for the LORD in the midst of all this nonsense going around these days.
But in our love of routine and clinging to things we believe in and enjoy; it is also important that we know when to let go. What if we are stubbornly holding to a tradition that has long ago lost its meaning? What if we have elevated our preferences into sacred status and that is preventing us from experiencing and enjoying the purposes God has for us? There’s a big difference between stubbornness and hard-heartedness. Hard-heartedness occurs when our hearts grow cold and unfeeling. Unwilling to consider change, even when our world is collapsing around us.
As I have been preparing to preach on Revelation 9 this weekend, I’ve found there is so much going on in this chapter. Hell is unleashed upon the earth, torturing and killing billions of people. While the 5th and 6th trumpets we’ll look at get most of the attention, as they are breathtaking to consider, my focus drifted towards the last two verses in the chapter, which gives insight into the hearts of those afflicted during the Tribulation. I am convicted and convinced that all of us need to take heed from their example, and examine our own hearts today.
I invite you to join with us this weekend as we watch as Hell is unleashed on hard hearts. Our socially distanced service is Saturday afternoon at 3:30, and our Sunday morning service is at 10:15, where you can join us online or in person. We also have excellent Sunday School classes at 9 for all ages.
Have a great weekend and I look forward to pursuing Christ, Community, and the Great Commission Together with you soon!
-Pastor Nathan Rice