Leading in Fear

Ever thought you were right about something and dug your heals in? No matter what anyone said - you were right and they were wrong - and there was absolutely nothing that was going to change your mind about it?

I have heard men and women rationalize there choices - including their sinful choices - over and over again as they wrestle with the issues/attitudes/struggles of their heart.

Ever convince yourself that your sin, the thing you convinced yourself was “okay”, was actually a gift from God? Like the men who justified their premarital sexual activity by "blaming" God for creating women in the first place!

In considering the case of Pharaoh in Exodus 7-12, I am left wondering - how can someone flat out reject all that they see happening in front of them - even after their hard heart and rejection results in the loss of thousands of innocent lives - allowing their anger, fear, frustration and vengeance lead to the loss of thousands more lives.

A couple things I noted as I read through these chapters of Exodus:

Doesn’t matter what we see or hear when our heart is already hard.

A hard heart lacks concern for other people (blood). Pharaoh's hard heart did not even allow for him to look for a solution. He went into his palace and left the people to dig around looking for water - for 7 days.

A hard heart struggles to change or be transformed (frogs). Well, its better now - so I don’t really have to change. Temporary, momentary relief is better than changing and acknowledging I am not in control. So Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not listen.

A hard heart rejects knowledge and truth (gnats). When the third plague hit - even the magicians and counselors of Pharaoh recognized that there was something different about these events - and stated “This is the finger of God,” a premise soundly rejected by Pharaoh.

A hard heart will say whatever is necessary to get what they want - without results. (flies) Pharaoh had a fly problem - he said whatever was necessary to try to maintain control and rid himself of the problem -and then reneged on his word even after being warned against doing so by Moses!

livestock, boils, hail - A hard heart in a sinning heart that does not fear God. With each additional plague, things got worse and the consequences more severe and yet the sin was so entrenched in Pharaohs heart that he could not see how his own pride and sin were destroying the very thing he wanted to hold on to.

Locusts, darkness, death - A hard heart rejects warning. Finally, destruction is at hand - personally and professionally. Pharaoh's unwillingness to accept defeat, or his lack of humility and willingness to submit, brink him and his people to a place where nothing good can happen. His stubborn refusal to allow God be worshiped - even after all he had seen and the warnings he had received - placed his pride before the people he had been destined to lead in life - now leading them into death.

As leaders, the lessons of Pharaoh are clear.

Our lack of humility causes unintended consequences for those we have been given the privilege of leading.

Our lack of wise counselors can blind us to our own fears, frustrations and ambition.

Our lack of reverence, awe, and fear of the Lord can destroy and bankrupt a nation.

Now, in the midst of a pandemic, people of God must arise as leaders who walk in humility, gentleness and grace.

• We must pray that God will replace our hard hearts with a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26), for a clean heart and a renewed spirit (Psalm 51).

• We must pray for boldness and confidence that come from worshiping a sovereign God, knowing it is He that holds all of us in His Righteous Right Hand.

• We must pray that those of us who call ourselves followers of Jesus would not succumb to the fear and uncertainty that seems to be increasing daily.

• We must pray for the grace that causes us to rise up and Love Everybody Always, while helping our friends, neighbors, and enemies learn how to take that next step in their relationship with Jesus - even as we do so ourselves.

• We must pray that God would show us what it means to be a neighbor in these uncommon days, to love in uncommon ways!

Fear Less, Love More, Love Everybody - Always!