"THE LORD HARDENED PHARAOH'S HEART!"

Exodus 11:6-10                             (ESV)

"6 There shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has NEVER BEEN, NOR EVER WILL BE AGAIN.

7 But not a dog shall growl against any of the people of Israel, either man or beast, that you may know that THE LORD MAKES A DISTINCTION BETWEEN EGYPT AND ISRAEL.'

8 And all these your servants shall come down to me and bow down to me, saying, 'Get out, you and all the people who follow you.' And after that I will go out." And he went out from Pharaoh in hot anger.

9 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Pharaoh will not listen to you, that MY wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt."

10 Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, and "THE LORD HARDENED PHARAOH'S HEART", and he did not let the people of Israel go out of his land."

Hebrews 10:31 says "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living GOD"!  Pharaoh was, at the time of The Passover, the most powerful ruler known to man.  He, nor the Egyptians, had any reason to be concerned with the Israelites as they were an unskilled people with no military training or instincts.  That the lowly Israelites would be used to glorify GOD would be a precursor to GOD demonstrating HIS Sovereignty over all mankind throughout history.  

That there would be "a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has NEVER BEEN, NOR EVER WILL BE AGAIN" informs me that GOD was setting up a display of POWER that would be unmatched FOREVER!  Through Moses, GOD spoke that the Israelites would be told to "get out, you and all the people who follow you"!  But in verse 9 of Exodus 11 GOD spoke to Moses "Pharaoh will not listen to you, that MY wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt."  

Was GOD tantalizing the Israelites by making them wait to be set free?  My belief is that GOD was getting the MOST GLORY when "THE LORD HARDENED PHARAOH'S HEART".  The Israelites had to wait 430 years in captivity and I'm sure they were ready to NOT be oppressed any longer than they had to.  But "not a dog shall growl against any of the people of Israel, either MAN or BEAST" so no one had to fight or struggle for their release!  As a matter of fact, when the Israelites were leaving "they plundered the Egyptians" (Exodus 12:37)!  

Keep in mind the Israelites were not fierce, brutal people, but GOD was directing their ways and HE can cause us great success, especially when HE gets all the Glory!  The Israelites had to wait until GOD got all the Praise and Glory for their release, and ultimate entry into the Promised Land.  Whenever we feel like we are being made to linger in oppression and captivity, just remember that "THE LORD HARDENED PHARAOH'S HEART" and HE can orchestrate matters on mine or your behalf!  

"GOD is sovereign over ALL!"

Psalms 115:1-3                       (KJV)

"1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto THY name give glory, for THY mercy, and for THY truth’s sake.

2 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their GOD?

3 But our GOD is in the heavens: HE hath done whatsoever HE hath pleased."

The recent drought in the area I live has caused many problems.  There are those who find themselves wondering when/if it will ever rain again.  Not since July 04, 2015, near my home,  have we had any appreciable rainfall.  My lawn, as well as my neighbors lawns, are almost dried up.  It isn't real difficult to keep a yard kept up when there is little growth. Moisture allows growth, both of grass and weeds!

The Bible says in Matthew 5:45 "for HE maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and SENDETH RAIN ON THE JUST AND ON THE UNJUST"!  To think that FATE or CIRCUMSTANCE controls our destiny might be an argument for some, but to understand that a Sovereign GOD is in control of EVERYTHING (rain included!) gives me comfort when things are difficult to understand!  

Recall, if you will, Exodus 3 when GOD spoke to Moses in a burning bush.  Moses didn't just immediately follow GOD's instructions and inform Pharaoh of GOD's Plan.  Moses had to show his humanity by questioning GOD's Plan.  GOD had to display HIS might to ALL through 10 plagues, leading the Israelites to the specific place of the Red Sea, causing Pharaoh to chase after the Israelites, parting the Red Sea for Israel to cross, drowning the Egyptians when they tried to follow the Israelites, then defeating numerous rival nations on the way to the Promised Land.  And the story was no where near over!

GOD's Word, the Holy Bible, is not just a book of fables and metaphors.  It is The written HIS-Story of what has transpired since creation.  Many have book knowledge and have a perception of what they think has transpired, but I find it more than a coincidence that the word HISTORY is nothing more than HIS-STORY!  GOD is sovereign over ALL, including the words we use to communicate!

Just like HE controls the wind (Mark 4:39), GOD controls every aspect of our lives.  HE may allow us to face turmoil, such as a Red Sea moment, but HE is in control!  In June 2015 we were experiencing severe flooding in our area.  Two months later the drought is causing major problems!  I am the biggest culprit, but don't get real upset about your circumstances, tomorrow will bring new challenges and the next day the same!  GOD is sovereign over ALL!!!

"SET YOUR MINDS!"

Colossians 3:1-4                            (ESV)

"1 IF THEN YOU have been raised with CHRIST, seek the things that are above, where CHRIST is, seated at the right hand of GOD.

2 "SET YOUR MINDS" on things that are above, NOT ON THINGS THAT ARE ON EARTH.

3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with CHRIST in GOD.

4 When CHRIST who is your life appears, then you also will appear with HIM in glory."

Some people CLAIM today to believe that JESUS CHRIST is the Son of GOD, that HE was sacrificed for their sins on Calvary, and that HE rose victoriously from the grave three days later!     But even I have a tendency to allow the enemy to MANIPULATE MY MIND into attempting to live in his graveyard of defeat and despair.  1 Peter 1:13 tells us "Therefore, PREPARING YOUR MINDS FOR ACTION, and being sober-minded, SET your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the REVELATION of JESUS CHRIST".  Our MINDS are only limited by what is REVEALED to it by the Spirit of the Living GOD (1 Corinthians 2:10-11).  

If our MINDS are a battlefield (Romans 12:2), why do we allow the enemy to set up camp on territory that has already been conquered by JESUS?  A few verses in front of todays text, in Colossians 2:20 (1599 Geneva Bible), Paul writes "Wherefore IF YE BE DEAD with CHRIST from the ordinances of the world, why, as though ye lived in the world, ARE YE BURDENED WITH TRADITIONS?"  Why do we allow man's 'TRADITIONS' to alter what the Spirit of GOD is directing us to accomplish?  Why do I limit what GOD can do by what mankind THINKS HE can perform when JESUS said in Mark 9:23 "ALL THINGS are possible for one who believes." 

We are called to "SET YOUR MINDS" on things that are above, not on things that are on earth!  "SETTING YOUR MIND" makes me think of 'focusing on nothing else'.  We have to intentionally "SET YOUR MINDS" on things that are above, not on things that are of "this world".  When JESUS said in Mark 9:23 that "ALL THINGS are possible" did HE include things of this world?  JESUS later said in the latter verses of Mark 9 that this faith comes ONLY by prayer and fasting!  Prayer and fasting means I have to give up something to accomplish Heavenly results, much like JESUS had to give up HIS THRONE in Heaven to redeem my soul from certain death!  

It is often said that Salvation is free.  Salvation may be free, but it cost JESUS HIS life (2 Corinthians 8:9).  When you "SET YOUR MINDS" on the cost paid for our transgressions it humbles and baffles the MIND!  GOD's grace is so far above anything we can comprehend.  Our MINDS cannot grasp anything so vast.  We must be like the man in Mark 9 and say "help thou my unbelief" and "SET YOUR MINDS" on things above!  In Philippians 4:7 Paul writes the the peace of GOD will guard your "hearts and MINDS"!  Trust in HIM as you "SET YOUR MINDS" on things above!!!

"HE WILL BE BLESSED!"

James 1:19-27                   (ESV)

"19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, SLOW TO SPEAK, slow to anger;

20 for the anger of man does NOT produce the righteousness of GOD.

21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be DOERS of THE WORD, and NOT HEARERS ONLY, deceiving yourselves.

23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.

24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.

25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a DOER who ACTS, "HE WILL BE BLESSED" in his doing.

26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before GOD, the FATHER, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to KEEP ONE UNSTAINED FROM THE WORLD."

There are some who "say" that GOD doesn't exist!  They would like for us to believe that the world evolved from nothing and mankind is only one step in this evolution.  The enemy would prefer to keep our lives moving at such a pace that we don't THINK we have time to recognize GOD, or the things of GOD!  But when man tries to assist GOD by doing what we THINK would help HIM, it generally only interferes with HIS Plan!  It seems I am CONSTANTLY being led to slow my life down lately.  How many times do I half-heartedly skim over a few scriptures trying to honor GOD with my commitment to HIM, with no intent of changing my life to become more like HIM?  Getting to where I am going seems to be more important to me than seeing what GOD has planned for my life!  It seems I want to LIVE life before getting my instructions?

In Luke 2:1-22 scripture records the physical entrance of "this world" of GOD IN FLESH.  The WHOLE WORLD was "abuzz" as Caeser Augustus had ordered everyone to be "registered"!  JESUS, the SON of GOD, was relegated to being physically born in a cattle stall in Bethlehem because everyone was SO BUSY!  We all want to be successful in what we are called to do.  For instance, all farmers expect some return on the seeds they plant.  Maybe we just want to win one more game?  Or sale one more car?  My "trade" is selling insurance and all insurance agents want to sell one more policy, to make a little more money!   

When GOD is allowed to act in our lives, and we await HIS instruction and guidance in what we should be doing, then "HE WILL BE BLESSED" who has hearkened unto HIM.  A hearer of the Word and not a doer of the Word "forgets"!  But one who practices what he has heard becomes a DOER of the Word And "HE WILL BE BLESSED" in his doing!  

GOD is searching for those "who will humble themselves" to be used by HIM to accomplish HIS plan for their lives.  HIS path for me may have some unforeseen difficulties but this is not our destination (Hebrews 13:12-16), only a place to be used of HIM for HIS glory!  "HE WILL BE BLESSED" is not about having an easy time of things, but a GOD GLORIFYING life!  

"THE SCHEMES OF THE DEVIL!"

Ephesians 6:10-13                     (ESV)

"10 Finally, be strong in the LORD and in the strength of HIS might.

11 Put on the whole armor of GOD, that you may be able to stand against "THE SCHEMES OF THE DEVIL".

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of GOD, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm."

Many times, more than I like to admit, I am driven to Ephesians 6 to review the Apostle Paul's writings alerting us to be on guard for the enemy attacking us "in the evil day"!  Anxiety, depression, and frustration are just a few of the tools the enemy uses on me to get my focus off of serving the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!  Things go a little haywire at the office, the vehicle breaks down on a busy roadway, or maybe a medical report shakes us to our core, and our focus is centered on something other than the ONE it should be on!

In Matthew 8:23-27 the disciples were with JESUS in a boat headed "to the other side"!  But on their journey a storm came up and FEAR gripped the disciples.  JESUS had already told them they were going "to the other side", but the storm got their attention and they were focused on it rather than where they were going, or more importantly, WHO they were with!  In the boat with them was the Son of the Living GOD, the Creator of the Heavens and Earth, yet they were focused on a storm!  In Matthew 8:26 JESUS tells them "And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then HE rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm". It seems so weak that the disciples would neglect WHO they were with, instead focusing on the circumstances they found themselves in?

But don't I do the same thing?  Something unexpected (a storm) presents itself to me and I think my whole world is coming to an end!  Circumstances and perils are merely opportunities for GOD to display HIS sovereignty to and through us.  "THE SCHEMES OF THE DEVIL" are sometimes camouflaged to look like a storm when JESUS is with us in the boat all the time!  The waves may be crashing into our boat, but the ONE who makes the wind determines how big the waves can become.  

"THE SCHEMES OF THE DEVIL" are nothing more than tactics from a defeated foe!  It took the Blood of JESUS to overcome the enemy at Calvary.  JESUS lives inside of me (John 17:23) so HE is as near to me as HE was the disciples in the boat. The storm cannot do anything to the Creator of the storm!  Keeping my focus on HIS Victory rather than "THE SCHEMES OF THE DEVIL" will assure me of living a victorious life!  

"HE HUMBLED HIMSELF!"

Philippians 2:1-11                  (ESV)

"1 So if there is any encouragement in CHRIST, any comfort from love, any participation in the SPIRIT, any affection and sympathy,

2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in CHRIST JESUS,

6 who, though HE was in the form of GOD, did not count equality with GOD a thing to be grasped,

7 but emptied HIMSELF, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

8 And being found in human form, "HE HUMBLED HIMSELF" by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

9 Therefore GOD has highly exalted HIM and bestowed on HIM the name that is above every name,

10 so that at the name of JESUS every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue confess that JESUS CHRIST is LORD, to the glory of GOD the FATHER.

Just WHO is GOD?  Some humankind claims to know GOD in a personal relationship, but they can't describe the vastness nor majesty of HIS being!  Even in writing this devotional today, time constraints and my limited vocabulary prevent me from adequately putting into words HIS MAJESTY!  How BIG GOD is, how LOVING GOD is, how FORGIVING GOD is, how WISE GOD is....there is no way to describe GOD, and yet GOD lives in my heart!  

We don't (and maybe I should use the word "can't") REALLY appreciate WHO GOD is or we wouldn't have a problem submitting ourselves to HIM!  To realize that we are merely a Creation of GOD, and yet "we think" we can circumvent GOD with what "we think" is best for us is a pretty big order!  When we SLOW DOWN enough to really grasp the MAJESTY and MAGNITUDE of a HOLY GOD it can shake our beings!  King David must have gotten a glimpse of GOD's MAJESTY when he wrote Psalms 46:10, "BE STILL, and KNOW that I AM GOD"!!

JESUS "emptied HIMSELF", readily gave up being a part of the GODHEAD, to become a servant for me (and you) to provide redemption for all before GOD the FATHER.  You see, GOD is HOLY and we are not, and the only way we can enter into HIS presence is to be HOLY.  JESUS knew the path HE would have to walk would not be what we would consider enjoyable, but "HE HUMBLED HIMSELF" to redeem me.  How can there be any doubt about GOD loving us when JESUS, not only left HIS throne, but suffered death on a cross for me?  

There is a video that has been produced that shows the planet earth compared to other heavenly bodies that are known to mankind.  To comprehend the vastness of GOD (HE holds the universes in HIS hand according to Isaiah 48:12-22) one has to understand how much HE controls (Colossians 1:17) through JESUS!  And yet in JESUS "HE HUMBLED HIMSELF" on my behalf to provide redemption for my soul.  Why should I allow myself to be humbled before others? Because "HE HUMBLED HIMSELF" for me!!!

"I THE LORD SEARCH THE HEART!"

Jeremiah 17:10-11                            (ESV)

"10 "I THE LORD SEARCH THE HEART" and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds." 

11 Like the partridge that gathers a brood that she did not hatch, so is he who gets riches but not by justice; in the midst of his days they will leave him, and at his end he will be a fool!"

Reading about many people who are now broke after winning a lottery, or some other get rich quick scheme, the scripture above causes me to ponder the benefits of great wealth.  We like to say the LORD GOD is in control of everything.  But how many want to give GOD glory and praise for living in the "poor house" and scraping by to make ends meet?  How many glorify GOD when their health drives them to "the valley of the shadow of death"?  

GOD is a merciful GOD, as my life testifies of!  Yet GOD is also a "just" GOD who brings (causes, allows, or permits) those things we may see as bad into our lives to shape and mold our minds and thoughts.  Some minds and thoughts are so set on the things of "this world" that they can't foster a sense of allowing the things of GOD to enter into their lives!  When GOD gets our attention (Exodus 3, Exodus 14, Psalms 78:34, Acts 9:1-19, among MANY other verses....) HE reveals to us things that HE can use to glorify HIS name to mankind.  And HE "knows" who will glorify HIM.

Eight years ago I was recovering from a brain hemorrhage.  Many have heard the story, but only GOD deserves to receive glory and praise for restoring my health.  If I had $100 Million dollars in the bank and my health had not improved from eight years ago, the money would not have made much difference in my life!  GOD had to 'get my attention' to get me on a path to seek HIM in everything I did (Jeremiah 29:13)!  

The scripture above states "I THE LORD SEARCH THE HEART" and test the mind, not "IF" I the LORD search the heart!  GOD knows my heart and HE knows that I am honest when I say that I feel HIS WORK is the only reason HE so miraculously healed me.  I may not be blessed with great wealth, but my testimony of deliverance is a wealth that can never be taken from me.  To know GOD cared enough about me to intervene in my life is a wonderful feeling.  To know GOD so loved THE ENTIRE WORLD (John 3:16) is almost unthinkable!  "I THE LORD SEARCH THE HEART" and HE knows my words are not spoken in eloquence, rather in true testimony of how I feel!  GOD IS ALIVE AND REAL!!!