Who is Hurt?

Friday 22 June
READ: Exodus 9:22-35
MORE LESSON: 2 Kings 5:20-27

There is a saying that a man's deceptive practice reaches its peak the day he succeeds in deceiving himself. In our text, Pharaoh played hide and seek with Jehovah. When he hardened his heart against releasing the Israelites and a plague stroke, he quickly soft-pedalled and invited Moses for a talk. As soon as the plague ceased, he went tough again. Who was hurt in the long run? It is sad that some people play with their life as Pharaoh did, thinking they are smart. They don’t pray or go to church, or do what is right and holy until they have a problem. Then, they suddenly remember God; and run to men of God for prayer and observe other religious rites. But as soon a solution to their problem comes, their spiritual commitment stops. They will give a thousand and one excuses why they are not able to meet up with their spiritual commitment. When they have a problem, they put those excuses aside and seek for help from God, and the cycle continues. Such people seek to use God to meet their needs but never allow God to use them to meet His needs.
Pharaoh did not prosper in his hide and seek game with Moses. Although he knew very well the powers of the gods, he chose to play on the God of Moses. At first, he was seemingly successful in playing on the intelligence of Moses' God to the admiration of his people. But Pharaoh lost everything at the end, including his firstborn. If he were straight in his dealings with Moses and God, he would have spared himself the unwarranted losses.
I counsel you to love and serve the Lord with all your heart, might, soul and all your strength. Those who do so are always honoured by God. He will deliver them from their enemies, and in the days of famine He will keep them from destruction. Stop the deception now and seek after God with all your heart. Learn from Cain who offered an unacceptable offering, became jealous of his brother, and even when God warned him about falling into sin, he didn’t listen. He bluffed God even after killing his brother; and when God pronounced judgement on him, he protested that the judgment was too harsh. Why wait for your house to be on fire before calling for help when you have the opportunity to stop someone from putting the fire on your roof? Even if men come to your aid to put off the fire, you would have lost your roof top. Be diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord (Rom.12:11).

Prayer/Action
* Receive grace to follow the Lord in all seasons, in Jesus name.
* Ask the Holy Spirit to pour upon your heart the love of God to do His will.
* Pray that God will not use judgment or enemies voice to communicate His mind to you.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: I connect with the grace and favour upon Daniel and I receive the Spirit of excellence to excel above my equals, in the mighty name of Jesus.