DIAMOND HARD HEARTS
DIAMOND HARD HEARTS
“Thus says the LORD of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.” But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear. They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the LORD of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of hosts. —Zechariah 7:9-12
It is a diamond hard heart that puts one life more important than another. The Lord tells us to “Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.”
Just before Christmas President Biden commuted the death sentences of 37 convicted murderers. He saw their lives as more important than the ones the murders killed. I saw an interview with a family whose mother was killed. It was absolutely horrific the way this murderer killed her. That poor family lost their mom to a monstrous murderer and now his life is being spared along with so many others who committed such horrendous killings.
God is clear about this in His Word, but diamond hard hearts do not care about what He says— “Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind” (Genesis 9:6).
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.” —Romans 13:1-5
Unfortunately, we have many in government who have “refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear. They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the LORD of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of hosts.”
We live in a sinful, fallen world where diamond hard hearts are all too common. They do not want to pay attention to what our Lord says. They make themselves out to be little “gods” and do what they desire without any or much thought to how others are affected.
The adult daughter of the family interviewed said she had forgiven her mother’s murderer and hoped that he would come to know Jesus. But she went on to say that there are consequences for our actions and her mother’s murderer should have his life taken as he took her mother’s. In cases like this our government does hold the sword in vain. It does not carry out what they should be carrying out. It is the responsibility God has given the government. A mom is missing by being murdered and the murderer still is allowed to live— injustice by our government.
Dear Father, I thank You for the attitude of this daughter— that she has forgiven her mother’s murderer and desires him to know Jesus. Be pleased to comfort this family in a special way in the midst of such injustice and turmoil. May this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x8TZiwPGa0
Crime under a lawless government will always increase… — “Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil.” —Ecclesiastes 8:11