Hard Hearts

by Joni Eareckson Tada

"But this time also Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not let the people go" Exodus 8:32

"But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let the Israelites go "Exodus 10:20

So which is it? Who did the hardening of Pharaoh's heart? As God's ambassador to the Egyptian king, Moses went before Pharaoh's royal throne more than once to say, "Let my people go!" Yet Pharaoh was immovable; his heart had been hardened against the Israelites. But when it comes to Pharaoh's stony resolve and exactly who did the hardening, scripture points to both Pharaoh and the Lord.

We know from James 1:13 that God does not inject the idea of evil into anyone's heart. So how is it that "the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart?" Through the common work of grace in our world, God is constantly staving off evil, restraining the fury of Satan so that harm and calamity do not overwhelm us. The devil can only do what God allows. Every once in awhile, however -- as in the case of Pharaoh -- God lifts His hand of restraining grace to allow evil men to carry out their wicked plans, only as it serves God's higher purposes. It is as though God were saying to Pharaoh, "So you want to sin? Well, go ahead, but I'll make sure that when you do, your evil intentions suit my higher purposes and plan." Even though humans have an intellect and a will of their own, God ultimately governs all they do -- including evil intentions. And He does it all without impugning His righteous and holy character.

Has someone caused you harm? Hurt or maligned you? You can praise God today that He is in control of even that painful situation. No sin ever happens that God does not deliberately allow. We may not understand His reasons, but we can rest in His goodness. Thank God today for His awesome sovereignty in your life.

Holy and righteous Father, I bow before Your infinite wisdom. Thank You for running the universe -- overseeing my life -- the way You do.