Are you stubborn?

Are you stubborn?      

Exodus 9:12 “But the Lord made Pharaoh even more stubborn and he refused to listen, just as the Lord had predicted”

Extra Reading: Exodus 9:1-12

Let me say that our denial of truth doesn’t change that truth. Pharaoh’s denial would not stop God from sending more plagues. Even when trusted counselors told him, “This is the finger of God,” Pharaoh’s pride and stubbornness blinded him. The most damaging denial of all is the denial of God’s existence. Yet a person’s refusal of this truth does not remove God from the scene; it merely removes that person’s opportunity to relate to God. How stubborn are you about the truths you don’t want to face? What specific realities do you want to ignore. And what will that self-imposed ignorance cost you? You see, God gave Pharaoh many opportunities to heed Moses’ warnings. But finally God seemed to say, “All right, Pharaoh, have it your way,” and Pharaoh’s heart became hardened. Did God intentionally harden Pharaoh’s heart and overrule his free will? No, he simply confirmed that Pharaoh chose a life of resisting God. Similarly, after a lifetime of resisting God, you may find it impossible to turn to him. Don’t wait until “just the right time” before turning to God. Do it now while you still have the chance. If you continually ignore God’s voice, eventually you will be unable to hear it at all.

Stubbornness comes out of pride-we think our way is best, or at least we want others to think that, so we refuse to give in. Stubbornness is not a respecter of others’ thoughts or ideas. When we know what God wants and refuse to do it, we show our stubborn rebellious nature against God. Stubbornness is being unyielding, refusing to move, and refusing to change. It is hardened resistance to others or to God himself. Not only that, stubbornness usually keeps us from doing what is best for us, and thus in the end we hurt ourselves. Stubbornness is when we God working and refuse to believe it is God. A habit of stubbornly refusing to get to know God may cause God to give up on you. What hope do you have then? In Matthew 17:17 Jesus replied, “You stubborn, faithless people!” Stubborn resistance to God and his ways is a persistent rejection of God himself. Stubbornness is the result of foolish pride that rejects the will and word of God.

Prayer: Father God, please help us to repent from stubbornness. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Rev. Samuel N. Modise