True repentance?

 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD.     And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away; intreat for me.    Exodus 8:8, 28

And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.      Intreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer. Exodus 9:27-28

And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the LORD your God: but who are they that shall go?      And he said unto them, Let the LORD be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for evil is before you.    Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence.     Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in hast; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you.      Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only.                             Exodus 10:8, 10-11, 16-17


    As I was reading the story of the ten plagues in my Bible reading this year, I noticed something that I hadn't before. Pharaoh wouldn't let God's people go and so God brought upon him the plagues that he said he would. In an attempt to get out of trouble and stop the plagues Pharaoh made empty promises to God and Moses and Aaron. There were even a couple of times that he appeared to repent and be sorry for his actions.

    That got me thinking. How many times has God had to punish us for something we did wrong and in attempt to get off easy and get out of our punishment we make half-hearted promises and if that doesn't work we "repent" in an attempt to get out of trouble and ease our conscience. But there's a problem. God sees our heart and knows our thoughts. We can't fool him.


But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.      1 Samuel 16:7

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?     Jeremiah 17:9

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.   Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.    Hebrews 4:12-13


    After all ten plagues were finished, Pharaoh finally let the people go, but, we can see his lack of true repentance by the fact that he regretted letting the people go, then proceeded to chase after them to bring them back. As a result, he lost his life and cost his army their lives.


And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?     And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him:     And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them.    And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand.   But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon.           But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.     And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.        And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.    And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians.   And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.   And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.    And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.   And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.            Exodus 14:5-9, 16-17, 24-28

To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:     And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:    But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.      Psalm 136:13-15


    Is there something in your life that either God has told you to do or, sin that God has convicted you of? Are you making empty promises or offering fake repentance in hopes that God will accept it and just leave you alone? Are you willing to risk your life and possibly bring others down with you so you can keep your pride? 

    God desires a real relationship with you. If you haven't been born again, or if there's just something in your life God has been pointing out, just surrender to him.  Come with a heart of true repentance and he will forgive. It will cost you far more to play games with God than to follow his will for your life.


If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.      1 John 1:9

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.   Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.   Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.   Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.   Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.         James 4:6-10


    Pharaoh had the option to follow God and let Israel go. He chose instead his own selfishness and pride and it cost him his life. It's too late for Pharaoh, but it's not too late for you. 

    What will you choose?

Comments

  1. MichelleMarch 3, 2022 at 11:50 AM

    A good reminder to check my heart behind the actions I am taking.

    ReplyDelete
  2. MichelleMarch 3, 2022 at 11:50 AM

    A good reminder to check my heart behind the actions I am taking.

    ReplyDelete

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