41 “The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the children of Israel; for the children of Israel went out with a high hand.”
Exodus 14:8
Here we see the polarized state of those who reject the Lord and refuse to listen and those who are willingly subject to Him. Pharaoh refused the Lord and even though he had suffered at God’s hand great plagues including the death of his firstborn son, yet He continues to disobey. He will not relinquish his hold over the people of God and God has dealt with him severely and yet he continues to rebel. Such is the state of those who reject God and harden their heart. God will eventually harden the heart and there is no way back from that position. Pharaoh pursued the disobedience of his heart right into death.
On the other hand the people of God followed and were led by God into great blessing in the promised land. They followed with great boldness and confidence in the leading of the Lord their God. So with all of us who follow obediently and seek to do what God requires of us and have confidence in His leadership. The children of Israel, though slaves, left Egypt with the treasures of Egypt for the Egyptians gave them whatever they wanted, such was the provision of the Lord. The Lord will provide for His people even in persecution that His holy name is seen and known. He will provide for His people so that the enemy does not gain the upper hand.
Even though we be slaves in this world, we are queens and kings in heaven, and the Lord will exonerate us and bring us out of our slavery with rejoicing. This is the power of God in the lives of His people.
Daily fragment of grace 