THE STORY OF JESUS: Exodus 7:8-9:12
“But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said to Moses.” (Exodus 9:12)
God is not making Pharoah do something against his will… he is stubborn by nature (7:14,22, 8:15,19,22, 9:7).
But God is hardening Pharoah’s heart in order to soften it, to open his eyes.
“For Scripture says to Pharaoh: ‘I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.'” (Romans 9:17)
God is being gracious here, showing His power and His mercy to Pharaoh again and again.
He is doing the same for us, if we have open hearts and minds to see it.
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20)
The things that happen in our lives are signs, meant to point us to God.
Humility opens our eyes to see it, while stubbornness closes them.
Stop and think about your own life, how is God showing His power and mercy to you?
Where is God trying to get Your attention, to get you to listen?
God can use our stubbornness to prove Himself, but He would prefer not to.
God is always gracious and patient, He will do what it takes to show you He is real.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I see the signs in my life. You are the greatest sign of God’s mercy, how far He will go to humble and help me. Please soften my stubborn heart.
Pharoah’s heart was hardened. He was persistent in resisting God even when he realized he was no match for the Lord. A hardened heart dulls a person’s ability to perceive and understand. He is unable to see. Unable to hear. Unable to remember.
We read the following in Mark after the miracle
And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened? Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?” (Mark 8:17-18).
A hardened heart is a focus problem. Who is in charge? My way or God’s way? Control your thoughts and you will control your actions. I need to hear the truth and absorb the truth. I need to digest the truth so that is is all of me.
Help me to see You at work each day Lord. Let me look at the world through Your eyes. All for Jesus – I surrender all.
Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.
Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands.
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands.
For it’s only in Your will that I am free,
For it’s only in Your will that I am free,
Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.