How Long Will You Refuse?

Posted on April 6, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Victory Call

“How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me?” (Exodus 10:3)

The words came out of the mouth of Moses, but they came from the LORD, God of the Hebrews, to the ears of Pharaoh.

Over and over again Pharaoh either refused to let the people of Israel go (4 times) or he agreed to let the people of Israel go and then reneged on his word (5 times).

Then during the tenth plague – death of the first born – Pharaoh sent them away – all of Egypt was eager to get rid of them.

“The Egyptians were urgent with the people to send them out of the land in haste. For they said, We shall all be dead.” (Exodus 12:33)

But then Pharaoh pursued them.

Pharaoh recognized that Moses was God’s chosen man because he repeatedly asked him to plead with God to stop the plagues.

Yet, when Moses (sent by God) pleaded with him to let Israel go – Pharaoh believed himself to be free to choose to submit or not submit to God’s command.

This resulted in the Lord’s question to him:

“How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me?” (Exodus 10:3)

Once again, I find myself asking the question – How much am I like Pharaoh?

When I refuse to obey God – I am exalting myself to have an equal say as the Creator of the Universe.

Sounds silly I know, but if I look at it from God’s perspective – I’m not sure what else to call it.

Every time I sin – I choose me and deny God.

Every time I go my own way – I choose me and deny God.

Every time I choose me – my pride is manifest.

Every time I choose God – I obey.

Every time I choose God – I go His way.

Every time I choose God – I humble myself before Him.

How long will I continue to refuse to humble myself before God?

I pray from this moment forward never more.

 

Written by Diane Hunt: Diane Hunt serves on the board of America’s Keswick and is the Executive Director & CEO of Changed Choices, a Christian non-profit in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.

---

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. ¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”  (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)