Read Exodus 10:7-20

“But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the children of Israel go.” (Exodus 10:20)

The Word of God supports the notion that the heart of man is originally soft and malleable. We can clearly observe this in the heart of a child, which is why our Lord commanded that we must become like little children if we want to enter the Kingdom of Heaven (see Matthew 18:3).

As one gets older the condition of his heart becomes a matter of the choices he makes. Will he harden his heart against God or will he soften it unto God? Will he sear his conscience toward evil or will he tend to his conscience toward good? That is always the question.

But man is not the only one making a choice. The Scriptures teach that God sovereignly matches man’s choices. The heart of man is like an account capable of deposits and withdrawals, except he is not the only one depositing and withdrawing. God has access to the account as well and matches each and every transaction with the same move. Whatever man withdraws, God withdraws as well. Whatever man deposits, God deposits as well. In other words, God sovereignly reciprocates mankind’s free choices.

The Scriptures abundantly declare this principle, and it can be the most glorious blessing!

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…” (James 4:8)

““Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts.” (Zechariah 1:3)

“…The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you…” (2 Chronicles 15:2)**

But it can also be the most severe judgment:

“But if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.” (2 Chronicles 15:2)

“…Thus says God: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, He also has forsaken you.’ ” (2 Chronicles 24:20)

To draw near to God is worth double the blessing, for each step you take toward Him is matched with His blessing of stepping toward you. But each step of man’s abandonment away from God is matched by God’s judgment of stepping away.

This is exactly what we see happening with the heart of Pharaoh. Four times Pharaoh hardened his heart toward God (see Exodus 8:15,32; 9:12,34), and immediately following, four times God hardened Pharaoh’s heart in return! (see Exodus 10:20, 27; 11:10; 14:17)

While as devastating as this principle was to Pharaoh and is to those who rebel against God, it is also the most comforting for those who seek Him. God desires to draw near to those with a contrite heart, and He does! Christ desires to soften the humble heart, and He does!

We can get into the trap of thinking that our relationship with Christ is a one-way street that we alone maintain, but this isn’t true. God is as much of a pursuer — nay! — God is a much greater pursuer of man than man is of God.

So know this, Beloved, that if you desire Him, He returns your desire with His own. If you pursue Him, He will return your pursuit with His own. Every time you pray He is there as much as you are. Every time you reach into the depths of His Word, He is there extending His truths back to you.

“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit… The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.” (Psalm 34:17–22)