I have sinned, but!

I have sinned, but! Pharoh came to the point in his battle with God of admitting that he was in the wrong. (Exodus 9:27) It was after the plague of hail. He even went so far as to say that God was right! That all seems good, but it didn't really mean a heart change in Pharoh. Pharoh still saw himself as the one in charge, still unwilling to submit. Moses knew it and declared to Pharoh, "I know that you and your officials still do not fear the Lord God." (9:30) How often do we find ourselves in that same place. We recognize that we have erred, we may even verbalize it to others. It may have come to that point because of uncomfortable consequences that we are experiencing or maybe just because there is some conviction taking place in our hearts. Whichever, we are willing to admit that we are in the wrong. Is that enough? Not according to this story. We can actually recognize that we are sinning and still have a hard heart. According to Moses, it's because we aren't grasping who God is...we aren't fearing God. We can admit wrong, simply out of morality, and still hold on to the controls. We may be using that as a means of manipulation. Heart change is what brings submission, or a willingness to let God be God. As we are struck by who He is, in all His Godness, only then will we "fear Him." This is what brings about true change in character and and behavior. O Lord, don't let me fall short. Don't let me merely recognize wrong behavior. Let me heart be slain by who You are and how detestable and contrary to You my heart has become. Lord, let any change in my behavior happen at the roots, not simply on the foliage.