“And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.”
(Exodus 9:27)
One of the most painful works that God performs in the soul is the work of conviction. This is essential, because we naturally excuse ourselves, defend our actions, and think better of our spiritual condition than we should. We tend to believe that our motives are pure and our good deeds are acceptable before God. Yet the Lord, who searches the thoughts and intents of our hearts, knows the full extent of our sins.
So God often uses our conscience as His instrument to uncover what lies hidden within. A person may possess self-confidence, thinking himself righteous, sincere, and pleasing to God… until the Lord awakens his conscience and causes him to see himself as he truly is.[1]
This happened to Pharaoh. For a long time he justified his rebellion. He thought Moses’ demands were unreasonable and saw no evil in refusing to let Israel go. Yet when God’s hand of judgment pressed in more heavily, his conscience was awakened, and he confessed, “The LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.”
His words were true. The judgments of heaven were entirely just. The evil lay not with God but with Pharaoh’s own sinful heart. Likewise, true conviction begins when a sinner stops blaming others and acknowledges both the righteousness of God and his own wickedness.
As with Pharoah, God often uses affliction to lead us to self-examination. In such times, instead of complaining, we should ask the Lord if He is wanting to expose pride, unbelief, selfishness, worldliness, or hidden rebellion that would otherwise go unnoticed.
But we also do well to note from this passage that conviction alone is not conversion. Pharaoh confessed his sin repeatedly, yet his heart remained hardened. It is possible to feel the weight of guilt, acknowledge wrongdoing, and even speak the truth about God’s justice without ever coming to genuine repentance.
Under pressure, we’re more likely to confess our sins, humble ourselves, and make promises to God until the danger passes and we return to our old ways. But we should know that conviction not leading to repentance leaves the soul in a dangerous condition.
So whenever the Lord shines His light into our hearts and reveals our corruption, we should not resist His work. It is better to be humbled now than to remain deceived until the day of judgment. Blessed is the person who can honestly say, “The Lord is righteous,” and who, by grace, also says, “God be merciful to me a sinner.”
Contemplations:
- Seeing My Heart Honestly. I often think more highly of myself than I should. I can justify my actions and overlook my sins while quickly noticing the failures of others. I need the Lord to search me and reveal what I cannot see on my own. A false peace is dangerous, but honest conviction is a mercy from God.
- Confessing God’s Perfect Righteousness. Whenever I am tempted to question God’s dealings with me, I should remember that the Lord is always righteous. His judgments are pure, His providence wise, and His corrections just. The problem never lies with Him but with the sin that still remains in my own heart.
- Fearing A Superficial Conviction. Pharaoh confessed his sin, yet his heart remained hard. I must never mistake temporary sorrow or emotional regret for true repentance. I want my confessions to be sincere, leading me to hate my sin and cling more firmly to Christ.
- Rejoicing In The Mercy Of Christ. Though my conscience often accuses me, I have hope because Christ receives sinners who come to Him in faith. He does not cast away those who confess their guilt and seek His mercy. The Savior who exposes my sin is also the Savior who cleanses me from it.
Prayer (Confession):
Righteous Father, I confess that I often think too highly of myself and too lightly of my sin. I excuse what You condemn and defend what I should grieve over. My heart is deceitful, and I need Your light to expose what remains hidden within me.
I acknowledge that You are righteous in all Your ways. You have never wronged me, never dealt unjustly with me, and never afflicted me beyond what Your wisdom has appointed. If I suffer correction, it is because I need it. If You humble me, it is because my heart is proud.
Forgive me for resisting conviction and for being slow to repent. Forgive me for the many times I have confessed sin with my lips while failing to hate it in my heart. Deliver me from a superficial repentance that quickly fades when the pressure of affliction is removed.
Search me, O God, and know my heart. Reveal every sinful way within me. Give me an honest spirit that is willing to acknowledge my guilt and flee to Christ for mercy.
Thank You for forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ. Though my sins are many, Your grace is greater still. Teach me to walk humbly before You, to confess my sins quickly, and to rest in the righteousness of my Savior.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References:
Exod. 10:16; Psalm 129:4; Psalm 145:17; Lam. 1:18
[1] William Fenner, Remains of That Reverend & Faithful Servant of Jesus Christ, Mr. William Fenner, (London: Printed for Joseph Cranford .., 1657), 123-124.
