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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise The Egyptians believed that their pantheon of nearly 80 gods had control over the sun, the moon, the stars, the weather and even death itself. How glad I am to know that you alone are the one, true God and that all things were created by and for your Son, Jesus Christ (Col 1:16). The forces of nature obey your command, and all things are subject to your will. Hallelujah! Today in Your Word Today you told me about the first seven “signs and wonders” (plagues) that you brought upon Pharaoh and the land of Egypt. These plagues were not the result of purely natural processes. They were truly miraculous events. Your purpose in the plagues was to demonstrate your great power over the false gods of Egypt and to proclaim your name through all the earth (Exod 9:16). In this way, the plagues became an evangelistic tool to draw people to you (Exod 9:20–21). How marvelous to think that even your judgments are a severe mercy, for they call sinners to repentance! Beginning with the fourth plague, you set apart the land of Goshen where the Israelites lived, “that you may know that I, the Lord, am in the midst of the land” (Exod 8:22). This showed that you were able to protect your own, and no one could say the plagues were just freak events. Pharaoh refused to submit to your authority and repeatedly hardened his heart (Exod 8:15, 32; 9:34). You also hardened Pharaoh’s heart (Exod 9:12; 10:1, 20, 27; 11:10; 14:8), but you were not keeping him from being able to repent. Rather, you were enabling him to persist in his rebellion no matter the cost (Exod 10:7). In this way the destiny of both Israel and Egypt was decided not by what Moses or Pharaoh willed, but by what you willed. Paul later cited this as evidence that salvation does not depend on human effort, “but on God, who has mercy” (Rom 9:16–18). Reflection People often say, ‘If I could see a miracle, then I would believe in God,’ but Pharaoh shows me that the problem is not a lack of evidence. The real issue is the sinfulness of people’s hearts. They don’t want to believe. Request Father, help me surrender to your will, no matter how much I want to have my own way. Give me the grace I need to maintain a “broken and contrite heart” before you (Ps 51:17). Thanksgiving Thank you for your great love! Your precious Son gave His life to save stubborn and rebellious sinners just like Pharaoh. Praise the Lord! In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “Lord, I Make a Full Surrender” – Charles W. L. Christien. Meditation Verse: Exodus 9:14–16.