Prayer: Father, how much does it take for me to relent, repent, and cry out to You? Help me to shorten the time of discipline. Help me to eliminate the need for discipline. In the name of Yeshua, amen.
Reading: Exodus 8 key: 15
15 So the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them—just as Adonai had said.
Attention: When we look over the entirety of the array of plagues which Adonai proliferated upon Pharoah and the Egyptian people, one needs to ask himself, “If this was me, how many of the plagues would it take for me to relent and cry out to Adonai?” Would it only take one? Which one is the most offensive to you? I know people who have phobias about spiders, insects, or snakes. Personally, I’m like Harrison Ford in Raiders of the Lost Ark. He has just dropped down into a dark cavern, and he lights a torch to discover the floor moving, filled with snakes. His line, “I hate snakes” is the feeling of most people viewing. At least it was mine.
I hope that for most of us, it would not have taken all ten of the plagues for Adonai to get our attention and a plea of relent.
For myself, it took years for me to discover, 2 Timothy 3:1-5. If you are a student of the Word, you may be familiar with this passage which gives a panoramic view of the character of people in the last days. For me, the depiction of my character grew worse with every line. The clincher for me was the phrase “holding to an outward form of godliness but denying its power.” That line broke me. I repented that day and wrote out my testimony of repentance to my best friend. I also sent it to a friend whose transparent testimony had influenced the turnaround in my life.
Adonai had prophetically told Moses that Pharaoh would harden his heart. Adonai knows man’s heart. He knows our hearts too. Adonai will allow self-will to a point. I don’t claim to know what that point is, as He was abundantly merciful and long suffering with me. Interesting that even Pharoah’s magicians recognized the miracles were from God.
In Romans 1, the Holy Spirit through Paul gives us some indication of God’s limit with our ungodliness and unrighteousness. Eventually, Adonai gives us over to the evil desires of their (our) hearts to impurity, to dishonor their (our) bodies with one another. They traded the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator.” Then, “God gave them over to shameful passions” and then, “God gave them over to a depraved mind to do what is not fitting” (Romans 1:24-28).
There was a progression which occurred with Pharoah. At first, he hardened his own heart (Exodus 8:15b); eventually, knowing Pharaoh’s heart, God hardened it (Exodus 9:12; 10:1,27; 11:10b).” He knew there was no return, Pharaoh had made his resolve against the God of heaven.
I pray that none of us reach that point beyond which there is no return with Adonai. He is merciful and longsuffering. Please do not take advantage of mercy of God and play with His patience.
Action: I will repent today of my sinful, unrighteous ways.
Yield: I will relent of my perceived rights to live life the way I want.
Engage: I engage with Adonai in repenting of my ways.
Relationship: Is restored when I repent and yield to His ways, His law.
Prayer: Father, there is no other way to live but in keeping Your laws. I repent of my rebellious past and praise You for restoring my life and using me for Your glory. Amen.
Memory Verse: 2 Peter 3:8-9
8 But don’t forget this one thing, loved ones, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some consider slowness. Rather, He is being patient toward you—not wanting anyone to perish, but for all to come to repentance.
Music Video: Vineyard—Change My Heart Oh God https://youtu.be/DwudqCO7mSQ
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”