Justin Houtz

Exodus 10, Luke 16

DateVersionReading Plan
March 1, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Observation

Application

Exodus 10

Pharaoh continues to show himself as prideful, arrogant and seeking control. Prior to the locust plague, he wanted to limit the Israelites leaving to only the men and then after the plague confessed his sin only to remove the death rather than responding in authentic repentance. If you only approach or admit your need for God only when circumstances are dire, your heart set on self-preservation, not godly surrender not self-sacrifice. True repentance is not being sorry because of the consequences of sin but a full turn away from sin in such a way that, even with consequences removed, the change remains.

Luke 16

One of the many powerful principles to draw from the parable of the rich man and Lazarus is the futility in favoring earthly treasures over those we can receive heaven. In our sin and finitude, we are obscured from realizing the vast difference between the momentary vapor that is this temporal life when compared to an eternal dwelling with God. This failure leads to accumulation of things both tangible and intangible that are sure to pass away. When we wrongfully place our identity, security and ultimate value on the things of this life, we do so at the sacrifice of the fullness of joy that awaits in vibrant relationship with, worship of and obedience to our Creator.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to be a man of genuine repentance, a full discarding of the old man that leads to stronger faith and relationship with You. Help me to turn from all that is not of You, to see You as the greatest treasure to ever behold, released of the bondage of worldly things that I may abide in You with my whole self.

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