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Am I Like Pharaoh?
Tim Savage15But when Pharaoh saw that relief had come, he became stubborn. He refused to listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had predicted. Exodus 8
Time after time Pharaoh hardened his heart against the Children of Israel. God provided miracle after miracle, but still Pharaoh changed his mind preventing them from leaving. Each time he briefly believed, repented and consented, but each time he went back on his word. This morning, I’m convicted because for the first time I can see that, all too often, I am like Pharaoh. I want to be in control, I want to decide what’s best for my life, I want to direct my steps towards what I believe is in my best interest. Every so often God knocks me down or puts obstacles and hardships in my way. Then I start to worry and make plans to steer around the problem or search for a solution on my own. Finally, through devotions, teachings and messages, I realize that God is my only solution, that worrying and plotting are not the answer and that I have to submit and have faith in my Creator.
My Pharaoh moment is that when God shows up and reveals a more beautiful and wonderful future, I am relieved, take credit for the good fortune and go back to my old ways. Of all of the characters in this story, I never thought that I was most like Pharaoh!
God allows hardship and pain in my life in order to correct my path, so that I learn to follow Him more closely. My tendency is towards pride and self-sufficiency, but He wants faith and reliance only on Him. I wish I could learn that lesson without having to go through the process! I wish I didn’t have to endure the pain or feel the pinch of worry, but the result is so sweet. I can’t say that I would pray for the challenges, but from it I will learn to trust my Savior and Creator more and more.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Please forgive me for my pride and my little faith. I want to grow in You. I want to be someone in whom You are pleased. I hand over my concerns and challenges; I relinquish worry and trade it for joy, knowing that You are in control.
In Jesus name,
Amen
