Hardened Hearts: God’s Mercy Prevails

For the scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.  (Romans 9:17,18 NIV)

Intrigued

This scripture has always intrigued me. Bottom line…God is Sovereign. He is Alpha and Omega, He is beginning and the end. God operates based on mercy, not on our desire or effort. Yes, when we conform our hearts to His, we’re apt to receive personal desires. Gaining this knowledge early on in life, will go a long way towards developing a heart like Christ.

Hardened Heart

When this revelation struck me, I was amazed. God controlled Pharaoh’s heart, all for His very own purpose. In Exodus 7:3 But I have hardened Pharaoh’s heart and though I multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt, he will not listen to you. This was spoken to Moses for him to understand how things were going to roll. The Bible is same for us today. We can study, learn scripture to apply Biblical principles in our daily life, overcoming the world.

The World

Someone might say, “What’s wrong with the world?” Pray this with me: Lord, I may know you well or I may not know you at all, yet, please open my eyes to see your Truth. I was a Christian for a long time, before my eyes opened to spiritual warfare. I had no clue how to handle information being revealed. It took me time to not react, realizing it was revealed to me in order to pray. It’s easy for us to harden our hearts. To realize leaders such as our current President is ultimately controlled by God, even if He shows no signs. Could it be God hardened this leader’s heart, seeing if His (God’s) power can be displayed and His name proclaimed all over the world? Pharaoh’s hardened heart allowed for signs and wonders to be experienced.

Light

God desires same for us today. Taking this perspective, considering this leader’s record, we wonder why so many turns for the worse. Let’s remember, God protected His people from the plagues. He will protect you and me, too.  Are we willing to be faithful back, trusting Him as we enter unknown days ahead? God is amazing when charting unknown territories. We just have to hold tight to Jesus, He is our guiding light. Just as God can harden hearts, He shows mercy to who He wants to have mercy…maybe this explains Trump.

Be encouraged!