LIFE SCRIPTS

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘This is what the Lord , the God of the Hebrews, says: “Let my people go, so that they may worship me.” If you refuse to let them go and continue to hold them back, the hand of the Lord will bring a terrible plague on your livestock in the field—on your horses, donkeys and camels and on your cattle, sheep and goats. But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and that of Egypt, so that no animal belonging to the Israelites will die.’ ” The Lord set a time and said, “Tomorrow the Lord will do this in the land.” And the next day the Lord did it: All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one animal belonging to the Israelites died. Pharaoh investigated and found that not even one of the animals of the Israelites had died. Yet his heart was unyielding and he would not let the people go.
Exodus 9:1‭-‬7 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/exo.9.1-7.NIV.

The Lord punishes sin and unbelief. But He’s also a God who distinguishes between those who’re sinful from those who obey Him. The Egyptian livestock was wiped out from the face of the earth while those that belonged to the Jews wasn’t. God is a judge who distinguishes people. He is not indiscriminate. His actions do not attract collateral damage. He punishes those who deserve to be punished and shows mercy on those who deserve mercy. But the plagues also paint to us a picture of the implication of bad leadership. The Egyptians suffered because of the disobedience of a leader, Pharaoh. A leader’s actions could attract God’s wrath over a nation. I think about our political leaders who do things that are displeasing before God. But also think of those who’re obedient and commited to God. God honors those people who walk right before Him. But in verse 7, we see something striking about pharaoh. Even when he found out that these events were Jehovah’s acts on his people, he hardened his heart even further. Sin builds a resistance within us. If we are continually unrepentant, we are set up for judgement in the long run. I think about the times I do wrong and seek to justify myself. I usually do not end up at a good place. But when I seek forgiveness from the Lord and change my ways, life takes a new turn. Continuous sin and unbelief hardens our hearts. We see this through Pharaoh.

Prayer: Oh Lord,
I thank you for this day. I ask that you forgive me for not yielding to your call of righteousness. Forgive me for the times I harden my heart before you because of sin. Help me through your Spirit to walk right before you. Bless my family oh Lord. In Jesus name. Amen.