Pharaoh said, “I will let you go, so that you may sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness; only you shall not go very far away. Plead for me.” – Exodus 8:28
Although the Pharaoh was “hardened in his understanding” and did not know God, his attitudes and actions seem to mirror those of some within the church today.
After the fourth plague upon his people, the king of Egypt agreed to let Moses (and all Israel) leave his country and exit slavery, sort of. They could go, just as long as they didn’t go too far. The Egyptian leader knew that though he did not personally know the God of Israel, Moses did, and he needed him to intercede on his behalf. The plagues had been devastating and his country had been seriously and adversely affected by them, but held out hope that things might continue as usual if Moses could convince his god to stop his attacks.
Many would claim to know the power of God, but still stop short of full submission to His purposes. They would also claim to believe in the power of prayer, but rather than come to him directly, ask others to pray for them. God expects nothing less than total submission and surrender from those that claim to worship Him. We must come to Him on bended knee with broken hearts and any appeal that others might make will not change the outcome if we refuse.
The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, buy unoffered prayer. – F.B. Meyer
