I like long road trips. There is something about the motion of the car and the sceneries passing that creates this ambience of reflection, gratitude and awe. I often think during this trips about how the nature is wonderfully made. How simple things around me makes me look back on my childhood and realizing how far I have been. Of course, I consider both failures and successes. But among all this realization, it always brings me to the conclusion on how God has been so wonderful and merciful to me. Despite all the mistakes and flaws I had and have, and the trials and challenges I faced. He still is here, at work in my life and have never left me.
Do you know God? Or on a more basic question, do you believe that He exists? This fundamental question, make me think about the event in Exodus 5. The chapter talks about how Pharaoh rejected Moses and in extension, rejected God who appointed Moses. Moses and Aaron have told Pharaoh to let God’s “people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.” (v.1). But Pharaoh replied “Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord,…” (v.2).
Scripture
Psalm 10:4 KJV "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts."
Observation
This passage in the scriptures describes why others, like Pharaoh, do not accept that God is real and that He is sovereign over all. Pride affects everyone, from the ancient times to the present one. And no one can say that “I am not proud”. Furthermore, this characteristics inhibits person from seeking God. Because when we seek the knowledge of God, it will bring light to how Holy and perfect He is and “our righteousness as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). Is it not Satan’s pride that caused him to rebel against God’s authority? Moreover, it is the same with us when we think we are good persons, but the reality is that we are not even close to being good (Romans 3:10-12).
Acknowledging that God exists and that we are subjected to His will is a torture to the proud unregenerate hearts. They cannot bear to accept and refuse to comprehend that God is real. Like Pharaoh, they have hardened hearts and they cling on to it because that is the only thing they can control. They refuse to accept the works of Jesus Christ on the cross which is a free gift (grace) for everyone. Instead, they try to prove and earn salvation with their own merits (Ephesians 2:8-9). According to Augustine of Hippo, “The grace of Christ without which neither infants nor adults can be saved, is not rendered for any merits, but is given gratis, on account of which it is also called grace”.
Application
This is the time for your journaling. Reflect on these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit to test your faith and your walk with Christ.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? — 2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV
- Have you questioned yourself about God’s existence?
- Are you leaning more on the answer that He exists or that He is non existential?
- What are the things in your life that is an evidence(s) of God?
- How are you dealing with a proud heart?
- Have you let go of your pride and accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?
Prayer
Our Father in Heaven, we praise and adore You. We thank You for the grace You have given us through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. May Your Holy Spirit soften our hearts and lead us to You. May we have the knowledge of You and the eagerness to get to know you all the days of our lives. Lead us not away from You but draw us near You always.
All these we pray in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
