True Repentance
Exodus holds one of my favorite scriptures, found in the 14th verse of the 14th chapter: "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." Some translations render this as "silent," "calm," or, as in the NIV I just quoted, "still." It's believed to be an axiom of the time that meant, "Sit down and shut up." It's a good reminder for me from time to time when chaos is at the door and I'm wondering what God is going to do about it. I then yell at God, and He reminds me of this verse: "Cam, sit down and shut up, I got this." Then I remember He's always had this.
How do you respond to moments of chaos?
Some see chaos and sit back, waiting for God to work it for good. I'd like to say I always do that, but I don't want to lie. Many of us see chaos in our lives and forget that God's got it handled. Some of us see chaos unfold and immediately start worrying. Have we angered God or disappointed Him? How can we make it right? What can we do to relinquish His wrath? Many of us try to start a relationship with God by bribing away His wrath. In fact, this is how the Exodus of Israel begins.
Let my people go!
You probably know the story or have seen the movies. The plagues start to come, and God's wrath is poured out, yet Pharaoh won't relent. Every plague that God brings to Egypt demolishes the idols and "gods" of Egypt, showing the king that there is no god like the LORD. It was humiliating for Pharaoh. He stiffened his neck, hardened his own heart, and remained stubborn. Scripture eventually says that Pharaoh became so hardened and stubborn that God gave him over to his hard heart.
But then something strange happens, a brokenness you don't expect as you're reading: "And Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, 'I have sinned this time. The LORD is righteous, and my people and I are wicked.'" (Exodus 9:27)
I've said something similar, and maybe you have too: "God, I have sinned. You are righteous. I am wicked." It sounds like repentance, but is it?
Repentance or Appeasement?
Pharaoh said all the right things: "I have sinned this time. The Lord is righteous, and my people and I are wicked." Then it seems he showed his cards: "Entreat the Lord, that there may be no more mighty thundering and hail, for it is enough. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer." (Exodus 9:27-28)
Repentance is not simply an "I'm sorry," nor is it partial. Repentance has nothing to do with a fear of wrath. True repentance is realizing you are not God, you are not in control, and every blessing and good thing in your life comes from Him. You have been living in rebellion against the rightful King of the universe. So, you do the only logical thing: throw yourself at the mercy of the King in surrender, choosing to learn from Him, follow Him, and honor Him forever.
Pharaoh didn't do that. Instead, he tried to escape God's wrath by appeasement. "Okay, God, you win. What do you want me to do now so things don't get any worse? I've had enough of this." His heart had grown so hard that even in his sorrow, he cared nothing about knowing God; he just wanted everyone to view him as a god again.
Moses saw straight through it.
29 So Moses said to him, “As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands to the Lord; the thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, that you may know that the earth is the Lord’s. 30 But as for you and your servants, I know that you will not yet fear the Lord God.”
Moses had learned something about fear, and it enabled him to see right through Pharaohs words: whatever you fear, you draw near.
Pharaoh didn't want to know God, talk with Him, or be right in His sight; he wanted God to leave him alone. Many of us want God's goodness without God Himself.
Pharaoh didn't want to surrender to God and draw near to Him; he wanted to surrender just enough to get God out of Egypt.
Pharaoh didn't want to worship God; he wanted God to stop destroying what he worshiped.
So he offered appeasement: "I'm bad, God, you're good. Now let me get back to my life."
Repentance is how we start the journey of faith, but has it drawn you near to Him, or has your "repentance" been an excuse to get back to your life, just this time with perks—freedom, no more frogs, gnats, or hail, or whatever hardship you're currently trying to escape?
Evaluate your fear
Pharaoh didn’t want to be with God or know God; he wanted to be rid of God.
Do we want to be rid of the wrath of God, or do we want to be in the presence of God?
Pharaoh didn’t want to know God better; he wanted God to make his life better.
Do we want God’s blessing and favor, or do we want God Himself?
Pharaoh didn’t want God’s will; he wanted relief from His wrath so he could return to being the most powerful god in his kingdom.
Do we want freedom and power to do our will, or His?
Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Do you fear God, or do you fear His wrath? Whichever you fear, you will draw near. When chaos is at the door, draw near to Him, because it's in drawing near to God in true repentance, true rest, true faith, we find His grace—a new beginning.
How do you respond to moments of chaos?
Some see chaos and sit back, waiting for God to work it for good. I'd like to say I always do that, but I don't want to lie. Many of us see chaos in our lives and forget that God's got it handled. Some of us see chaos unfold and immediately start worrying. Have we angered God or disappointed Him? How can we make it right? What can we do to relinquish His wrath? Many of us try to start a relationship with God by bribing away His wrath. In fact, this is how the Exodus of Israel begins.
Let my people go!
You probably know the story or have seen the movies. The plagues start to come, and God's wrath is poured out, yet Pharaoh won't relent. Every plague that God brings to Egypt demolishes the idols and "gods" of Egypt, showing the king that there is no god like the LORD. It was humiliating for Pharaoh. He stiffened his neck, hardened his own heart, and remained stubborn. Scripture eventually says that Pharaoh became so hardened and stubborn that God gave him over to his hard heart.
But then something strange happens, a brokenness you don't expect as you're reading: "And Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, 'I have sinned this time. The LORD is righteous, and my people and I are wicked.'" (Exodus 9:27)
I've said something similar, and maybe you have too: "God, I have sinned. You are righteous. I am wicked." It sounds like repentance, but is it?
Repentance or Appeasement?
Pharaoh said all the right things: "I have sinned this time. The Lord is righteous, and my people and I are wicked." Then it seems he showed his cards: "Entreat the Lord, that there may be no more mighty thundering and hail, for it is enough. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer." (Exodus 9:27-28)
Repentance is not simply an "I'm sorry," nor is it partial. Repentance has nothing to do with a fear of wrath. True repentance is realizing you are not God, you are not in control, and every blessing and good thing in your life comes from Him. You have been living in rebellion against the rightful King of the universe. So, you do the only logical thing: throw yourself at the mercy of the King in surrender, choosing to learn from Him, follow Him, and honor Him forever.
Pharaoh didn't do that. Instead, he tried to escape God's wrath by appeasement. "Okay, God, you win. What do you want me to do now so things don't get any worse? I've had enough of this." His heart had grown so hard that even in his sorrow, he cared nothing about knowing God; he just wanted everyone to view him as a god again.
Moses saw straight through it.
29 So Moses said to him, “As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands to the Lord; the thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, that you may know that the earth is the Lord’s. 30 But as for you and your servants, I know that you will not yet fear the Lord God.”
Moses had learned something about fear, and it enabled him to see right through Pharaohs words: whatever you fear, you draw near.
Pharaoh didn't want to know God, talk with Him, or be right in His sight; he wanted God to leave him alone. Many of us want God's goodness without God Himself.
Pharaoh didn't want to surrender to God and draw near to Him; he wanted to surrender just enough to get God out of Egypt.
Pharaoh didn't want to worship God; he wanted God to stop destroying what he worshiped.
So he offered appeasement: "I'm bad, God, you're good. Now let me get back to my life."
Repentance is how we start the journey of faith, but has it drawn you near to Him, or has your "repentance" been an excuse to get back to your life, just this time with perks—freedom, no more frogs, gnats, or hail, or whatever hardship you're currently trying to escape?
Evaluate your fear
Pharaoh didn’t want to be with God or know God; he wanted to be rid of God.
Do we want to be rid of the wrath of God, or do we want to be in the presence of God?
Pharaoh didn’t want to know God better; he wanted God to make his life better.
Do we want God’s blessing and favor, or do we want God Himself?
Pharaoh didn’t want God’s will; he wanted relief from His wrath so he could return to being the most powerful god in his kingdom.
Do we want freedom and power to do our will, or His?
Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Do you fear God, or do you fear His wrath? Whichever you fear, you will draw near. When chaos is at the door, draw near to Him, because it's in drawing near to God in true repentance, true rest, true faith, we find His grace—a new beginning.
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