Persevering through the hard times

As I continue to read through Exodus, I'm absorbing the story of how Moses led the people out of oppression, through God's Word. I can't help but notice the continued reminder "But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, Pharoah will not listen to you" (Exodus 7:3) Pharaoh wouldn't listen, and the Lord continued to harden his heart.

God hardened Pharaoh's heart- it was not his free will to have a hard heart. A designated opportunity to fulfill the promise. Even though faith is believing what is not seen- the people are seeking to "see". God continually gives signs of His word, yet still today we don't listen. Hard hearts blind us.

"Tell of Pharaoh's hardened heart and harsh dealings with the Egyptians and the signs, so they may know I am Lord." (Exodus 10:1-2)

I see this happen in our lives today as well. Our hearts can be too hard to even grasp the work God is doing in our lives. Behind the scenes, when we feel like our prayers aren't being heard, or perhaps that things are not going the way we feel they should. Or maybe times have just gotten so dire, it's hard to see a way out. Sometimes, we start to believe God is not working for us. The truth is He ABSOLUTELY  is working! That doesn't mean an easy road, but the glory comes with weathering the storms. While clinging to God in every way you possibly can, the benefits outweigh the pain of the endurance process.

So why does it have to be so hard sometimes?

Thessalonians speaks of the why; "for sanctification" (the act of becoming holy). No matter where you read in your Bible, there is a likely chance the Lord is spelling out for you, what we need to do to be holy. A great directive verse comes from Exodus 14, "And Moses said to the people, "Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent."

When you are in a season where you are grasping at straws and wondering what you can do to change the dynamic of what's persisting in your life, are you tempted to turn your back away from God?

I encourage you to "stand firm". Don't turn your back on the one who will never forsake you. He promises time and time again; if you seek Him, His glory will be revealed. It takes some persistence on our part too; there is often some heart chiseling that's involved, we have to be willing. Trust in believing, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified." Romans 8:28-30