LISTEN CAREFULLY TO THIS
Today's reading: Exodus 7:25-9:35, Matthew 17:1-9, Psalm 24

"If you refuse, then listen carefully to this..." Exodus 8:2 NLT

I've been caught off guard with a snippet of the conversation between God and Moses and Pharaoh this morning.

God could have made Pharaoh let the Israelites go...

God could have made Moses make Pharaoh let the Israelites go...

God could have but he allowed Moses and Pharaoh to play their own parts, to fulfill their own roles, to make their own heart-led decisions.

And He does it for us.

He lets me be me. He lets me be disobedient me. He lets me be dealing with the discipline of not listening me. He lets me be think I know better me.

I needed the reminder that when I refuse to listen to Him, there will be consequences.

There will be things I want to do separate from the Lord, but...

There will be things He asks me to do that I think too hard. I can choose not to do them, but...

There will be times I just don't understand why in the world God is asking me to do something and I dig in my heels and refuse, but...

There will be choices I am called to make that are not easy, fun or socially approved, but...

I want this morning's verse to ring in my ears!

IF you refuse, then listen carefully to this...