But the Egyptian magicians did the same things by their secret arts, and Pharaoh’s heart became hard; he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said. Instead, he turned and went into his palace, and did not take even this to heart. (Exodus 7:22-23)
When I was a kid, I used to pray that God would give me signs for things. I remember once I asked God to confirm His will by making my fish float to the top of the fishbowl. Not so surprisingly, the fish eventually swam to the top, and I knew exactly what God wanted me to do!
In the case of Pharaoh, God was speaking incredibly clearly to him through the signs Moses and Aaron were performing, but his heart was hardened toward listening. I think sometimes we miss God’s speaking voice for similar reasons.
If we want to know God’s clear direction in life, it really doesn’t take magic or signs. More often than not, He has revealed the answer to our concerns in His Word. If a decision you’re making has a moral component to it, then the answer will be very clear. God never wants us to violate His moral law. The challenge with this is that we have to know His Word to know His perspective on the moral component to any decision.
If the decision isn’t morally right or wrong, and God hasn’t given you some other clear instructions, then you likely can choose to do whatever you want to do. In any case, don’t make the mistake of Pharaoh by blowing of God’s clear instructions.
God is notorious for being clear when He leads His people to do something.
Lord, help me to always be willing to do whatever it is that You want me to do. Make Your direction clear for me – whether through Your written Word or by impressing it on my heart in an undeniable way, and then help me to follow through with diligence.
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