When God Speaks, Will We Listen?

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness.”
—Hebrews 3:7–8 / Psalm 95

 

Each month at the HIM headquarters, our team gathers in the conference room while our PALS—Partner and Leader Servants—join virtually from across the globe. Together, we open the Word and walk through a chapter of Scripture, one at a time. This month, we were all moved by the same powerful passage above, a divine reminder of how easy it is to let our hearts grow hard—even while doing ministry.

Rebellion doesn’t always look like shaking a fist at God. Sometimes, it’s as subtle as telling only part of the truth to a spouse or child. Sometimes, it's justifying small compromises or excusing our actions because “it’s not a big deal.” I was reminded of this recently on Father’s Day, June 15, when my kids invited me to a Kansas City baseball game. Parking was tight, and I bent the rules to get a better spot. My wife Jerri looked at me and asked, “Why do you think the rules don’t apply to you?” It was a minor thing, but it revealed something major—how easily we can slip into self-justification when our hearts aren’t fully surrendered.

This reflection made me think of the people we serve around the world—men, women, and children who face temptations and trials far beyond our daily inconveniences. What if you hadn’t eaten in three days? Would you steal food? Would you lie to survive? This is the harsh wilderness many live in every day. Yet, into that wilderness, HIM steps in with practical help and the eternal hope of the Gospel.

When we place a sewing machine into the hands of a young woman, we’re not just giving her a tool—we're affirming her worth. We're saying, “God sees you. You are not forgotten.” She can now earn a living, feed her family, and begin to believe that her future is not defined by poverty or exploitation, but by purpose and possibility.

As we move into the second half of 2025, we sense God calling us to even greater things—more business start-ups, more educational support, more protection for vulnerable women and children. But to follow His voice, we must not harden our hearts. We must stay soft. Responsive. Generous.

Would you consider donating today? Your gift helps us say yes to those divine appointments—and the voice of God calling us out of comfort and into compassion.

To God Be the Glory.

Byron