And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these My signs before him: And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and My signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I AM the LORD.
And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their GOD: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?
And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left.
Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; 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. And he went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD. And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt. But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go. (Exo 10:1-2, 7, 12, 16-20)
The Lord declares His purpose for the protracted battle against Pharaoh. It is not because GOD is not powerful enough to free His people, but to show Himself through these signs, and declare His glory over the false gods of Egypt. Pharaoh had hardened his heart and refused to surrender to GOD on His terms, so the conflict was over. Now we have the details, where GOD glorifies Himself, and the children of Israel would have a testimony and praises of what GOD did on their behalf. Even some of the Egyptians had begun to recognize that Egypt was done, and that all that was left was the departure of the Hebrews.
When the Lord fights our battles, the war is already won. When we surrender to Him on His terms and submit to His will, He can show Himself strong on our behalf. As Sovereign, He is still in control of all. Whatever comes our way, is either directed or allowed, and we must trust Him in all things. That trust gives us the strength, as He lives His live in us, to accomplish His will, and do the work that He has commanded us to do. We do it, not because we have to earn any privilege or keep our salvation, but because we love Him who first loved us.
Because of the love of GOD and our faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, we obey His call to minister to the hurting and in need, that people see Jesus in us, the hope of glory. We offer ourselves, in relation to our Heavenly Father, and in fellowship with His Church, committed to His command to disciple one another in love and in the Word that we may grow thereby, conformed to the image of His dear Son. We openly and unashamedly, commissioned by GOD to His work and will, preach and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ as we go, that those who hear might believe, and believing have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. Just as GOD called on Pharoah to repent and release the Hebrews, GOD calls you to trust what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. Just as He provided liberty to the Jewish people, He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new heart in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet