Sometimes you wonder why those who once loved you dearly have seemed to become cold towards you. It’s like they no longer have a heart for you, perhaps you’ve even reached out to reconcile to maintain peace and been shut out. Their hearts have been hardened.

On more than one occasion in God’s word He hardened a group of people’s hearts to fulfill His plan.

Exodus 9:12
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said to Moses.

In this case, the Pharaoh’s heart was hardened to give God a platform to show His glory through miracles. If Pharaoh had complied, it is possible that he would have been revered as the one who “set the captives free” but God does not share His glory. He needed His people to come out from among them but He needed them to know that it was He that did the delivering.

Joshua‬ ‭11‬:‭20‬ AMP
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts that they should come against Israel in battle, that [Israel] might destroy them utterly, and that without favor and mercy, as the Lord commanded Moses.

God’s chosen people were predestined to win the victory, the heart of their opposers had to be stubborn towards them to ensure that they’d be engaged in battle.

Now what does this have to do with me?

Everything. By adoption, you are God’s chosen people. I’ll assume that most of us aren’t waging actual war in the earth realm but as Ephesians 6 tells us, our battle is against principalities and wickedness in high places. Who better to be an adversary than those who know your weaknesses? It’s for this reason that we are betrayed and hurt by those we love, nobody else has the power to hurt us to the extent they can.

There are some that suddenly despise you, have spoken evil against you… For no apparent reason. People have actively attacked your character and undermined every effort you’ve made toward pursuing the purpose of Christ in your life. Let them. The power is yours to come against those spirits. Begin to pray for your enemies, those that spit on your name and all you stand for need to be at the top of your prayer list so that you do not grow hatred towards them and the word of God can be made manifest when He said “Vengeance is mine”. Pray blessings on those who curse you, prosperity for those who wish the worst for you. Pray for the lives of those that prey on yours.

The same God that hardened their hearts has the ability to give you favor in the hearts of those tied to your purpose. Be still.

Study, pray, praise and watch God work!

– Shakeisha M.