Wednesdays with Moses

Read Exodus 9:31-35 – Now the flax and the barley were struck, for the barley was in the head and the flax was in bud. But the wheat and the spelt were not struck, for they are late crops. So Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh and spread out his hands to the Lord; then the thunder and the hail ceased, and the rain was not poured on the earth. 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. (NKJV)

For a brief moment, Pharaoh yields to God when the plague of hail destroys the flax and barley crop. But soon enough his heart is hardened. It’s sad how common such an idea is for us. When we can depend on ourselves, we are almost always determined to do so. Even though we may be stripped of nearly all options, as long as one alternative remains, we cling to our self-dependence and think that our last-ditch efforts are somehow the answer we need. Now Pharaoh worships pagan gods and knows little of the God who sent Moses. But why are we reluctant to depend on God, especially when we know Him and have experienced both His love and power? How can we not trust Him when we hold His promises in our hands?

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.