Then the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments; and Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the Lord had said. Exodus 7:22
Being open to something new and different is difficult for most people. Doing something the same way for a long period of time keeps one set in those ways. They are not willing to change. It can be even more difficult if what is being done appears to be working well with no problems. People will then brace themselves even more against any change, regardless of what the facts show.
Through Moses and Aaron, God had sent a plague of turning the water into blood in Egypt to get Pharaoh to let the people go. When the magicians did the same thing, Pharaoh hardened his heart and refused to let the Israelites go.
Believers have a message for the world that the world can have a true and eternal life. Their message can give them a purpose and hope in this life for something better and greater.
As people hear this message of hope and life, they look to the world and see what appears to be hope and life. Entertainment abounds everywhere one looks, and on the surface, people look happy and satisfied. Giving up anything to have something different does not make sense to the world. As a result, they hardened themselves against any change.
There are people in the church who have looked to the world to see the same things God is doing. Instead of running to God, they begin to run back to the world and harden their hearts against what God is doing.
Believers need to run after God and not look to the world for life. When their eyes are on God alone, they will not harden their hearts against Him.
God has a plan of life for you. The world will strive to keep you from that plan. The world will promise you life also. Do not put your eyes on the things and ways of this world. When you look to the world for life, you will be deceived and turn your heart hard against what God is calling you to do and be. Listen to the words of God and obey them. Have the life that God is offering you so that your heart will remain alive and not grow stone-cold dead.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will hear what God is saying to you; that you will heed God’s commands and directions; that you will keep your heart from growing cold against God; and that you will live the life God has called you to live.
Purchase Tom’s New Daily Devotional Here!
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Insights from Tom
Comments are closed.