Humble or Hardened
The heart that honors God is humble and hears how to live according to God's ways.
“If you refuse to let them go, behold, I will plague all your borders with frogs ...Moses said to Pharaoh, “I give you the honor of setting the time that I should pray for you, and for your servants, and for your people, that the frogs be destroyed from you and your houses, and remain in the river only.” Pharaoh said, “Tomorrow.” Moses said, “Let it be according to your word, that you may know that there is no one like Yahweh our God."
Exodus 8:2, 9-10, 16, 21, 32
Two things stand out when we look at Pharaoh. First, how much pain is was willing to endure rather than changing what his ways. God had sent multiple plagues and with each one, Pharaoh would rather try to hold on to his power and possessions than find peace. It is easy to allow what we own or want to own and harden our hearts. Where in your life are you holding on to something that keeps you from peace? Is there a possession, something from the past, a pain or offense of another person, or pleasure that you are unwilling to give up?
The second unwise decision Pharaoh makes is delaying the decision. The power to transform our lives is always in the present moment. It is in the now. Now I can surrender my heart. Now I can choose to walk humbly. Now I can respond to the spirt. Now I can help another person with their burdens. Why would Pharaoh ever delay relief from the plague? Because procrastination is a curse on all mankind. Is there anything you have been delaying that needs action?
“The wicked go astray from the womb. They are wayward as soon as they are born, speaking lies...Most certainly there is a reward for the righteous. Most certainly there is a God who judges the earth.”
Psalms 58:2-3, 11
The term wicked comes from the idea of twisting a candle wick. Wicked in this sense is the twisting of truth. David says the wayward speak lies. There is a tension between the truth and the false. One of the most freeing things we can do as we follow Jesus is to bring all of our thoughts, actions and attitudes into the light of truth. Ask the Lord if there is anywhere in your life you are believing a lie or not walking in truth.
“My son, if you will receive my words, and store up my commandments within you, so as to turn your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; then you will understand the fear of Yahweh, and find the knowledge of God. Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path."
Proverbs 2:1-2, 5, 9-10
What happens when we learn to listen to the spirit of truth? We learn God's ways. We start taking steps towards doing righteousness, which is made exemplified by right thinking and right doing. As we walk in truth we see how God wants us to help bring justice to an unjust world and create opportunities for others. Ask the Lord what you need to know today to walk in the light of truth.
"Yahweh will guide you continually, satisfy your soul in dry places, and make your bones strong. You will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters don’t fail.,,call the Sabbath a delight, and the holy of Yahweh honorable, and honor it, not doing your own ways"
Isaiah 58:6-11, 13-14
God teaches the importance of the Sabbath. A day of rest. A day of devotion to Him where we recharge, are renewed, and rest with Him. How are you at honoring the Sabbath? Jesus said the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. The truth He teaches us is that it is for our benefit. How could more rest benefit your soul? How does resting honor God in your life?
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted...when you make a feast, ask the poor, the maimed, the lame, or the blind; and you will be blessed, because they don’t have the resources to repay you. For you will be repaid in the resurrection of the righteous...many are called, but few are chosen...Whoever doesn’t bear his own cross and come after me, can’t be my disciple."
Luke 14:11, 13-14, 24, 27-28
Humility demonstrates trust and is a sacrifice of our pride. It is a step of faith that proclaims that I choose to make myself less so that Jesus can be made more in my heart. Have you experienced the blessing of humility? Is it not amazing that the Savior of the world came to wash our feet and serve us? His call for you is to go as He did with a heart humbled before the Holy God and love the world through serving.
What will you find when you walk in humility? Unlike Pharaoh, you will experience the beauty of the presence of God as He fills your heart with the fruit of the spirit. You will experience more joy, more peace, more gentleness, more connection with others. Do you want more of the spirit? Choose to reject the ways of Pharaoh, the selfishness and procrastination he showed, and choose the righteous path of humility as shown by Jesus.