EXODUS 9:34-35

And when Pharaoh saw that the rain, the hail, and the thunder had ceased, he sinned yet more;

and he hardened his heart, he and his servants. So the heart of Pharaoh was hard; neither would

he let the children of Israel go, as the Lord had spoken by Moses.

When the luxury liner Titanic first struck an iceberg, men who had been cursing and rolling dice

at the gaming tables suddenly fell to their knees in repentant prayer. In a few moments the

captain of the ship came on the intercom assuring everyone that the accident was not serious.

Survivors related that these same men got up and returned to their cursing and gambling.

Obviously their repentance was only for expediency.

Pharaoh had the same attitude. When God sent a plague of hail on the land (vv 23-24), Pharaoh

was ready to admit that he had sinned and that he and his people were wicked (v. 27). In an

apparent change of heart, he readily agreed to let the Israelites go. As soon as the hail ceased,

however, he hardened his heart and reneged on his agreement.

Many people still use religion the same way. They promise to go to church every Sunday, give

10 percent of their income and cease their evil habits, if only God would deliver them from some

difficult problem. But when the crisis is over, so is their commitment.

They must not be fooled; God is not deceived. He may get these people out of trouble, but unless

they keep their promises greater judgment may come upon them later. God wants to do so much

more for you than offer a quick fix for a temporary problem.

He wants to give you a long-term relationship that will bring you eternal joy and fulfillment.

God never plays games with you. All His promises are “Yes, and in Him Amen” (2 Cor. 1:20). If

you choose to deal sincerely with God, He will deal sincerely with you.

NEVER MAKE OBEDIENCE A MATTER OF EXPEDIENCE.

WOODROW KROLL

www.backtothebible.in