LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil
 
Thursday 16th April 2026

A HARDENED HEART

Scripture Reading: Exodus 7
 
So the Lord said to Moses: “Pharaoh’s heart is hard; he refuses to let the people go. Go to Pharaoh in the morning, when he goes out to the water, and you shall stand by the river’s bank to meet him; and the rod which was turned to a serpent you shall take in your hand. Exodus 7:14–15
 
Up until then, God’s demonstration of power in Pharaoh’s court was a validation of Moses. The engagement moved to the next level when He sent Moses to meet Pharaoh at the River Nile. The plagues that would free Israel from Egypt were about to begin.

Pharaoh’s heart was hard.

 When he realised that his magicians could replicate the acts of Moses and Aaron, Pharaoh might have felt quite confident. He probably concluded that Aaron’s miracle was a magical deception, the secret of which was not known to his wise men. God told Moses that there would be resistance from Pharaoh, even though he had received his mandate from Him. We need reassurance from God when we encounter opposition to what He’s called us to do.

Go to Pharaoh.

The Nile was an object of reverence for the Egyptians. It was home to the patron deity of the country. The Lord chose the river to be the subject of the first plague. He wanted to strike at the heart of the power and confidence of the Egyptians and demonstrate to them His authority.

God with the rod.

Moses had to go to the banks of the river with the miracle-working rod. This time, the rod would not be raised in demonstration, but in judgment. He had initially shown what He could do, but now, He would work all His wonders in Egypt by the same rod of demonstration.
 
- God’s power works in all places – in the palace and in the river. God was present with Moses at the Nile as He was with him in Pharaoh’s court. His power had not diminished because of the different location. The same power present during your personal devotion is available at the workplace. Call upon God anywhere, at any moment and in any situation, and He will answer.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, you rule over the stubbornness of men. By your power, all resistance crumbles. In Jesus’ name, Amen.