August 9, 2023

When the enemy performs their counterfeit miracles, it hardens the hearts of those we try to convince to accept Jesus as Savior. The comforts of this world are too cozy, and sin seems more attractive. Their only hope beyond this world when someone dies is the saying, "They are in a better place." Death is not a better place for those without Jesus. They are dead until they accept Jesus and are given a new life in him. Jesus saw them that way, too; in Luke 9:60, "Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God." Jesus wants people to choose him over everything else, and when they don't, he considers them dead.

Moses and Aaron tried to convince Pharaoh to let the children of Israel leave Egypt. God gave them the power of miracles to show that they had heard from God and that their ability was from him. Aaron threw down the rod, and it became a snake. However, the enemy duplicated that power through the magicians and sorcerers. God caused Aaron's snake to eat all the others in a show of superiority. God hardened Pharaoh's heart. Then on a different occasion, God turned all the water into blood at the hand of Moses and Aaron, but the magicians and sorcerers performed the same miracle, so it didn't pierce Pharaoh's heart to let the people go. Remember, when trying to help people come to know Jesus, we face the same enemy that Moses and Aaron faced when trying to free the children of Israel. They didn't give up. Keep praying. God will eventually open a door when the timing is right.

And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said. Exodus 7:22