27 Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron. “This time I have sinned,” he said to them. “The Lord is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong. 28 Pray to the Lord, for we have had enough thunder and hail. I will let you go;you don’t have to stay any longer.” 29 Moses replied, “When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the Lord. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the Lord’s. 30 But I know that you and your officials still do not fear the Lord God.” (Exodus 9:27-30)
What is true repentance? It is not mere words. Repentance is not merely saying, “I’m sorry.” Words can be empty, if they are not backed up by truth and faithfulness. Sometimes we may even make pious statements like, “The Lord is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong.” But in the end, are we really sincere? Moses knew that Pharaoh was just pretending. He tells Pharaoh, “But I know that you and your officials still do not fear the Lord God.” It is important that we recognize that God knows our hearts. We must stop pretending. If we want to receive God’s forgiveness, and the corresponding grace to change our lives, we must be willing to acknowledge our true heart condition before Him. He will not accept mere pious words. We cannot impress Him. Therefore, let us come to the Lord with sincerity and truthfulness of heart. Let us avoid duplicity or pretension. Come as you are. God in His mercy will show us favor and kindness, if we come to Him in spirit and truth. Today, remove your mask and show true repentance.