Repentance, Not Remorse

TEXT: EXODUS 8:1-15

Key verse: “But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said” (Exodus 8:15).

God is too just to overlook sin and take remorse for repentance. In His justice, He warns before bringing judgment. The only response He expects from man is repentance, which is total turning away from sin. In His righteous judgment, He shows mercy to the truly penitent.

Pharaoh was warned to expect the epidemic of frogs if he refused to let Israel go and serve the Lord. On Pharaoh’s wilful refusal, Moses and Aaron, with outstretched rod, performed the miracle of judgment. It was a plague of frogs, that came from the streams, the rivers and the ponds throughout the land of Egypt. Frogs invaded the houses, the ovens, the kneading troughs of both the king and his subjects. Pharaoh’s magicians, in their folly, conjured more frogs with their enchantments. At this stage, Pharaoh could not bear it and, therefore turned to Moses for prayers. He now seemed to have confidence in God. Moses, having a right standing with God, prayed at Pharaoh’s request. Moses did everything according to the word of God and the Lord in turn, honoured his words. God honours those who honour Him. The frogs all died. You would have thought that Pharaoh had permanently learnt his lesson after going through series of torments. But he remained obstinate.

How many people provoke God and invite His judgment by rejecting His word and slighting His servants? How many people resort to physicians of no value who, instead of alleviating their problems, add more burden to their clients? For the careless believers, how soon do they forget their commitment and promise to serve God. Let us fear, lest we be found to be hypocrites like Pharaoh, who in times of discipline, walked soberly, prayerfully and carefully, promising to serve God, but failed to follow through after receiving a respite.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Mere remorse is hypocrisy.