“And that night at midnight, the Lord struck down all the firstborn sons in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn son of the prisoner in the dungeon. Even the firstborn of their livestock were killed. Pharaoh and all his officials and all the people of Egypt woke up during the night, and loud wailing was heard throughout the land of Egypt. There was not a single house where someone had not died. Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron during the night. “Get out!” he ordered. “Leave my people—and take the rest of the Israelites with you! Go and worship the Lord as you have requested.” (Exodus 12:29-31 NLT)
Pharaoh’s reluctance was not reversed by the plague of the blood, the plague of the frogs, the plague of the gnats, the plague of the flies, the plague of the disease on the livestock, the plague of boils on man and beast, the plague of hail, the plague of locusts, or the plague of darkness. None of these devastating plagues caused Pharaoh to soften his heart and let God’s people go. None of these plagues would cause Pharoah to reverse His reluctance to do what God, our Sovereign God, one higher than any Pharoah, above any king, and superior to any earthly power, has so declared to be done. None of the nine plagues prior convinced Pharaoh that he needed to change His mind or alter his decision-making, and stop his stubborn behavior.
However, with the tenth plague, as you read above, there was a reversal of his reluctance to abide by the sent word of God. Let me express it another way. It was not until He realized that man is no match for God, did he let the people go. Let me say it one more way. It was not until the ultimate consequence denying God’s desires; not until Pharoah experienced the effects of disobeying and disregarding the word of God hit home that he had a reversal of his reluctance.
Initially when I started writing, I was going to focus on how obstinate, stubborn, and hard hearted some people are regarding getting vaccinated during this pandemic and how some people remained reluctant to take a shot in the arm until it hit home; until they suffered personally or until a person that they dearly loved suffered from one of the Covid strains. Yes, that was the initial platform I was going to take. However, while I still have that on my mind, the Lord wants to point out a more universal, general point. That being that the fact that many people will not reverse their reluctance to change in some area of their life until, excuse the expression, until the consequences hit home. Whether it be a specific area of one’s life or the broader canvas of life in general, some people are reluctant to let go of something and let the Lord have His way. Such people are no different than Pharaoh.
I know I sound editorial this morning. So be it! I must need go where the Lord’s intervention is necessary. Therefore, I close with one proposition that may be applicable to many in one way or the other: Why wait until the consequences hit home? Why mistake the Lord’s mercy for a reason for you to maintain you reluctant, rebellious, or resisting way (in a minor area or a major area)? Why not bring about a reversal of reluctance? On final note: Don’t be like Pharaoh where his reversal of reluctance was temporary, make yours a lasting reversal. Think on all that I have written this morning. Avoid some unwanted consequences by changing your thoughts and behaviors to align with the will of God. Be blessed!
“But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” (Luke 11:28b NLT)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King