Exodus 8 - Steve Wiggins Daily Devotional

“Pharaoh responded, “I will let you go and sacrifice to the L_rd your G_d in the wilderness, but don’t go very far. Make an appeal for me.” Exodus 8:28

The plagues were disciplinary chastisements of G_d. Instead of annihilating the tyrant by one stroke, G_d, in His divine forbearance, inflicted 10 successive plagues to break his pride. Important to note, is how the plagues G_d inflicted were direct judgments against the “gods” of Egypt.

Notice how different the ways of G_d are from the ways of man. Human warriors attack by surprise; they don’t space out their blows; and when they have the enemy beneath their feet, they make an end of him. But G_d warned Pharaoh 10 times, and each time the L_rd gave Pharaoh the opportunity to repent. Before punishing Pharaoh, G_d offered him mercy each time.

There is grace and merciful forgiveness for all who repent; but there is unsparing punishment for those who, hardening their hearts to the voice of G_d, continue in their stubborn ways.

But what is repentance?

Repentance is more than lip service. It is more than praying a prayer, walking an isle, donating money, or some good “work”. True repentance is complete surrender. It is the total giving-over of your life to the L_rd. Anything less falls-short of what the L_rd requires.

In today’s passage, Pharaoh seems to have repented. But Pharaoh is not repenting. He is negotiating.

For a moment, try thinking of Egypt as symbolic of “the World”. “Pharaoh” may represent a personal demonic influence that is holding you captive, threatening you against trusting the L_rd. Imagine yourself as being so valuable that two warring kingdoms would fight to the death to obtain you. One wants to exploit you, while the other wants to lavish its love upon you. One is Egypt and the other is the L_rd.

Now, imagine yourself hearing the truth of the gospel, about Yeshua’s offering of grace, mercy and forgiveness for all who would repent. Now, imagine a growing desire in your heart, to obey the G_d’s voice...to trust Yeshua.

The enemy senses you are about to be won by the L_rd, so it offers a compromise: follow G_d, but not completely. “Nobody wants to be seen as a fanatic!”, the enemy laughs.

Don’t buy the lie. Anything less than complete surrender is not true repentance. Have you completely surrendered your life to Yeshua, or are you still in negotiations? I implore you to surrender TODAY! Don’t spend another night in Egypt.

Blessings,
~Steve Wiggins, Associate Leader, Worship Leader
Shuvah Yisrael
Daily Devotional, Sunday, March 9, 2014