Memory Verse:
Exodus 10:16 – “Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you.”
Bible Reading:
Exodus 10:12-20 (KJV)
12 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left.
13 And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts.
14 And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such.
15 For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt.
16 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you.
17 Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and entreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only.
18 And he went out from Pharaoh, and entreated the LORD.
19 And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt.
20 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.
The Cry of Pharaoh: A Bitter Experience
When a person faces a challenge so severe, so overwhelming, their only option might be to cry out. Pharaoh, the mighty ruler of Egypt, encountered such a moment. Here was a king who was used to ruling with an iron fist, used to being the god of his own kingdom. Yet, when the plague of locusts came, everything changed. The locusts covered the land, devouring every green thing in sight. The fields were stripped bare, and even the most powerful kingdom in the world was helpless. Pharaoh, in all his glory, could do nothing but call out for help.
This was the same Pharaoh who had once arrogantly rejected the voice of Moses and the power of God. He had hardened his heart and refused to listen to the Word of God. But when his personal kingdom was attacked, and his resources were stripped away, Pharaoh did what he had never done before: he cried. He cried for mercy. He cried for deliverance. But this cry came from a man whose heart was still stubborn and unrepentant. Pharaoh’s cry in the river he worshipped was an expression of desperation, but it lacked the true repentance required to see lasting change.
The Power of God’s Judgement
God is a God of mercy, yes, but He is also a God of judgment. Pharaoh’s experience teaches us a powerful lesson: no matter how high and mighty a person might be, no one can escape the power of God’s judgment. The locusts came as a result of God’s word, and nothing could stop them from accomplishing their mission. Pharaoh’s empire, which he worshipped and held dear, was crumbling right before his eyes.
The mighty river of Egypt, which Pharaoh had once looked to as a source of strength, was now the very thing that exposed his weakness. The locusts stripped away the pride and the wealth of Pharaoh’s kingdom, showing him that his resources, his idols, and his gods were powerless in the face of the Almighty. He had worshipped the river, but now it had become a witness to his downfall.
Pharaoh’s Cry: A Moment of Truth
When Pharaoh cried out, he acknowledged that he had sinned against the Lord. But it was not a cry of true repentance—it was a cry of convenience. He wanted God to take away the plague, but his heart was still not truly turned towards God. This teaches us that it is not enough to cry for help when things get difficult. True repentance requires a change of heart and mind.
Many of us find ourselves in situations where we cry out to God for help. But we must ask ourselves: Is this a cry of desperation or a cry of repentance? Are we truly seeking God’s mercy, or are we only looking for a way out of our troubles? God will answer the desperate cry, but He is more concerned with the heart behind the cry. True repentance leads to transformation.
Dealing with the Plagues of Life
Like Pharaoh, many of us face challenges that seem insurmountable. Whether it is a personal crisis, financial trouble, or spiritual dryness, it can feel like we are being overwhelmed by locusts in our lives. We might cry out, but our cry must be one of true repentance and surrender.
For example, there are individuals who may have worshipped money, success, or fame. When these things are threatened or lost, they are left devastated. However, the loss of material wealth or status is not the end of the story. Just as Pharaoh had the opportunity to repent, so do we. God allows difficulties in our lives not to destroy us, but to show us that our true help comes from Him alone.
Consider the testimony of someone who once relied on their own strength and resources. When everything seemed to fall apart, they cried out to God in desperation. This cry led to a transformation. They repented of their pride and self-reliance and turned to God for help. In their weakness, they found strength. God’s power brought restoration, and their testimony became a powerful example of His mercy and grace.
But let us not wait until everything is taken from us before we turn to God. Let us learn from Pharaoh’s mistakes. True repentance opens the door to divine intervention. If we humble ourselves before God, acknowledge our mistakes, and seek His forgiveness, we will experience His mercy in a way that the world cannot offer.
God’s Power is Unmatched
The lesson from Pharaoh’s life is clear: no matter how powerful we may seem, nothing compares to the power of God. Just as God controlled the locusts, He also controls the forces of nature, the powers of darkness, and every situation we face. When we cry out to God in faith and repentance, we can trust that He will respond according to His will. His power is greater than any challenge or enemy we may face.
Pharaoh was in the river he worshipped, and yet he found no salvation there. We must learn to let go of our false sources of security and place our trust in the One who controls all things. Only God can deliver us from the plagues of life.
Bible in the Year:
– Exodus 10:12-20
– Psalm 91
– John 10:10
Prayer:
Father, I come before You today with a humble heart. I acknowledge that there are areas in my life where I have trusted in myself, my wealth, and my own understanding. I repent of every sin, every wrong decision, and every idol I have placed before You. I ask for Your mercy and forgiveness. Lord, deliver me from every situation that is threatening my peace and my purpose. I trust in Your power to bring restoration and breakthrough. Help me to follow You with all my heart, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Let today be a day when we do not just cry out in desperation but cry out with a heart that desires true change, true repentance, and true victory in Christ!
