There are those who use the words
found in our key verse, “And he hardened Pharaoh’s heart,” to say that God
chooses some to be saved and others to be lost. But that is not the case at
all.
Fifteen times in the book of Exodus you find a
reference to Pharaoh’s heart being hardened; but none are in reference to
salvation. All fifteen references (Exodus 7:13, 14, and 22; 8: 15, 19, and 32;
9:7, 12, 34, and 35; 10:1, 20, and 27; 11:10; 14:8) refer to his heart being
hardened in regard to letting Israel go; but not in regard to salvation.
Pharaoh was determined to have his way. I know people like that, don’t you... those determined to do what they want instead of what God desires?
I recently read about a couple that God had called to go to the mission field. They immediately began to make excuses. The wife was expecting and as soon as the baby was born, they would go. But, after the birth of the baby, they said, “Well, we need to let him grow up some. The mission field is no place for a newborn baby.” Then the child began to grow and the couple said, “Well, the schools on the mission field are not as adequate as the schools in America. So, as soon as the child graduates, we’ll go.” After graduation the couple began to say, “Well, we are really too old to go now; and besides, our child will get married and we’ll never get to know any of our grandchildren.” To this day, as far as I know, they are still making excuses about serving God on the mission field. Their problem is “a hard heart” toward the will of God; and that is often what all of our excuses are, a sign that our heart is hard. So, let me ask you, based upon excuses alone, is your heart hard toward God?
What to do:
✞ Make sure your heart is not hard about doing the will of God.
Are you Saved? | Get These Devotions By Email
