Pharaohs in Pandemic: Are You One of Them?

“I have sinned... Go, serve the Lord your God… forgive my sin… and plead with the Lord… to remove this death from me.. be gone and bless me also!”

-Exodus 9:27, 10:16, 10: 24, 12:31

 

“When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the mind of Pharaoh and his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, “What is this that we have done, that we have the Israelites go from serving us?  … And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel…"

-Exodus 14:5, 8

The ten plagues that God had sent in Egypt is one of the most familiar Bible stories. Through Moses, God displayed His power in plagues to convince Pharaoh to let His people go. We can imagine the ancient world of Egypt as they were both amazed and terrified to see these things happening. Despite this, we know in the ending that Pharaoh chose to rebel against God.  

Going back to some details of the story, I realized that Pharaoh actually considered surrendering to God a few times during the plagues -- that is even before the final plague. He knew in his heart that he is overpowered by God.  That once God gets to act, he loses all his control and no effort he can do to prevent anything to happen that God wills. 

However, as soon as the Lord stops the plague, he goes back to his haughty self, and convinces himself that he is above God. He has seen the power of God but still decides to defy him instead of obeying Him. He refused to let go of God's people and disobeyed Him - that which brought punishment to him and his people.

During the height of COVID 19, many people realized that without God, they have no hope. It was inevitable to wake up to the reality that this life and everything in it will soon perish. Influence, power and wealth have nothing to do with a person’s safety.  Only a fool can deny that it is solely by the hand of God that this virus can be controlled, and by His will alone that lives can be saved. 

People cried out to God for help, thirst for His Word of hope, and “chase” after His salvation. Despite holding online worship services, our attendance spiked up.  Friends whom I haven’t seen for a long time in church attended without fail, even in Bible studies. Truly, God has shown His power through this pandemic, just like through the plagues in Egypt. People feared for their lives and saw no hope but to surrender to God.

But just like Pharaoh, as soon as things go back to normal — with vaccines and cases decreased —most of those who came with fervent hearts, vanished one by one. When things get back to what it’s used to be, they forgot the One who holds all things together.  The One who protected, comforted, healed and saved them. They changed their hearts as swiftly as Pharaoh changed his.  

Are you like Pharaoh? —that even after witnessing God’s power in this pandemic, you still choose to harden your heart, go your own way, and rebel against Him? Do you forcefully put God at the back seat of your heart and restrain your conscience on feeling the need for Him?

“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…” Hebrews 3:7

Whom Have I in Heaven?

 

Reading upon chapter 73 of Psalms, David expressed his disappointment of the successes and triumphs of the wicked; doubting if his godly ways would even benefit him. And though he was well aware of God’s goodness to His people (v. 1), the worldly system filled with corruption and violence, had him thinking if his faith is in vain.

Worse but true, at the back of our heads we also say, “How can God know?” (Verse 11) — when it seems that God’s people are taken advantage of and evil men prevail. But understanding came to David when he went to the sanctuary of God; then he discerned their end (verse 17). 

Prosperity without God only results to pride and arrogance, making the wicked fall into ruin (verse 18). Days go by so swiftly, like a dream when one awakes ( verse 20) only to see that destruction and punishment are left for them.

David in his shame uttered at the last verses of this Psalm:

“I was brutish and ignorant;

I was like a beast toward you.”

Then in praises, He realized

“Nevertheless, I am continually with you;

You hold my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel,

And afterward you will receive me to your glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you?

And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Earthly days are corrupted yet numbered. The night is here but the morning is surely coming. God does not wait for us in heaven but He takes us there. As the Spirit revealed this to David, he knew now that his portion, who is the Lord, will not and cannot be substituted by any pleasure that the wicked enjoy on the earth.