There is a fine line between dedication to one’s cause and
plain old mule-headed stubbornness. I applaud that person who sticks with their
plan, who gets back up and keeps fighting even when they get knocked down. There
is something to admire in that one who gives himself to God’s Spirit, dying to
Self in humble surrender. How do we
respond when the Lord is trying to change us, asking us to adjust our attitude?
Do we dig in our heels even when it is in our best interest to adjust, accept,
and adapt; or do we humbly yield to Him?
Moses and Aaron appeared in Pharaoh’s court to request that
he let the Israelites go. They said, "The LORD, the God of the
Hebrews, has sent me to say to you: Let my people go, so that they may worship
me in the desert. But until now you have not listened. This
is what the LORD says: By this you will know that I am the LORD." (Exodus 7:16-17, NIV) It’s a crazy request with which Pharaoh will
not agree. After all, these people are his labor force, critically important to
the Egyptian economy. He says, “No,” and
subsequently the plagues were introduced to Egypt, starting with inconvenience
and escalating in their misery and impact. The story of the ten plagues (Exodus
7-12) is a familiar one. After each episode
we read this – "But when Pharaoh saw
that there was relief, he hardened his
heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said."
(Exodus 8:15 NIV)
The final blow was the visit of the Death Angel, taking the first-born
of every household that did not have the blood of a lamb on the doorposts, which
was placed there in faith and in obedience to Moses’ directive. A lamb became the substitutionary sacrifice.
Only after this awful consequence of his hard, stubborn heart visited his
palace, did Pharaoh let the Israelites leave Egypt. "During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Up! Leave
my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested.
Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me."
(Exodus 12:31-32, NIV)
Is there some part of your life where you have hardened your
heart to the will and purpose of the Lord?
Are you refusing to do what He asks of you – forgiving another,
serving in some way you find undesirable, holding onto a sinful habit?
When the Holy Spirit whispers an invitation to greater
faith, pointing you in a new way, do you silence His voice or readily listen?
Persistent disobedience produces callousness towards our
Father! Jesus spoke of the spiritual plight
of the people who would not respond to Him. Quoting Isaiah, He said, ”‘You will be ever hearing but never
understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise
they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their
hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’" (Matthew 13:14-15, NIV)
Let’s pray to have tender hearts that quickly respond to our
Father’s love. Fear of what follows our obedience can make it hard to say a
ready “yes” to Him. Replace that fear with faith, expecting that He will
provide. Pride can hinder our willingness to follow Him, too. His way can
appear as foolishness when viewed with natural wisdom. Be humble enough to be seen
a fool for Christ!
Our word from the Word is a beautiful promise. Make it yours
today. Know the beauty of a tender heart. "And
I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new
spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new,
obedient heart. And I will put my Spirit in
you so you will obey my laws and do whatever I command."
(Ezekiel 36:26-27, NLT)
Lord, give us a child-like heart,
ready to follow You in faith
ready to follow You in faith
wherever You would lead.
For Jesus’ glory. Amen.
______________
I
Surrender
(a prayer in song)
(a prayer in song)
Here I am
Down on my knees again
Surrendering all
Surrendering all
Find me here
Lord as You draw me
near
Desperate for You
Desperate for You
I surrender
Drench my soul
As mercy and grace
unfold
I hunger and thirst
I hunger and thirst
With arms stretched
wide
I know You hear my cry
Speak to me now
Speak to me now
I surrender
I surrender
I want to know You
more
I want to know You
more
Like a rushing wind
Jesus breathe within
Lord have Your way
Lord have Your way in
me
Like a mighty storm
Stir within my soul
Lord have Your way
Lord have Your way in
me
(Lord have Your way)
(Lord have Your way in
me)
Matt Crocker
© 2011 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG
Publishing)
CCLI License # 810055
No comments:
Post a Comment