29/09/2017 - THE FIRST PLAGUE DID NOT CONVINCE PHARAOH

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Then the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments; and Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the Lord had said.  Exodus 7.22

The first plague seemed like an easy trick. As soon as the waters were transformed in blood by the rod that was stretched over the waters, the sorcerers of Egypt did the same. The battle was more serious than they imagined, because the devil also used his capacity to make wonders. However, as it happened with Aaron’s rod, which became a snake and the sorcerers imitated him, they would still prove that the Lord was God.

As the Egyptian leader saw the sorcerers’ imitation, which he knew very well, he disregarded it and went home, despising the sign of God’s power. The devil can even reproduce some things that the Most High does, but he is not omnipotent. The fish that were in the river died, and the river stank. The Egyptians could not drink from those waters. Other plagues would still come, and how far would the sorcerers’ power reach? Would they copy God’s deeds?

The Lord had told Moses that He would harden Pharaoh’s heart. Therefore, he was not even bothered with the fact that the king had not given attention to the sign that he saw. In the same way, we are warned by Scriptures that the god of this age has blinded the understanding of the unbelievers. It is necessary to have a work of the Lord in the hearts of sinners, so that they become interested in the Word.

Those who belong to a ministry must be watchful, for there is a clear division amongst the lost people that come to us. Some come only to receive a strong prayer and find deliverance from all evil. Others do not pay attention to what God can do to them; some people are pleased with their own religions although they suffer, and others seek us with an open heart.

The suffering in Egypt was great with the first plague. They could not drink water from the river, and had to dig near the river to find potable water. Those who do not have faith in Jesus live in affliction, for every day, something bad happens to them. The devil, who they serve, does the worst atrocities to them. There is no peace to those who do not bow before the Lord and walk in perversity.

The saved must be watchful to the fact that they were already taken away from the authority of the enemy and transported to the Kingdom of God. Therefore, whenever they have any adversity, whether temptation or sickness, they must be ready to demand it to leave. The saved are set free from all the work of the devil, for they have been delivered from slavery. Thus, they must repeal every suffering.

How many signs has the Lord given you? How many bad things have happened to you and you felt that you were far from the Lord and promised to return? The question that remains is, have you returned? Say it: is it worth answering the enemy or God?

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares