When I See The Blood
Exodus 12:12-113 – “I will pass through the land of Egypt in the same night, and I will attack all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of humans and of animals, and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment. I am the Lord. 13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, so that when I see the blood I will pass over you, and this plague will not fall on you to destroy you when I attack the land of Egypt.”
As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, certain aspects of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt captivated me. In Exodus 12, the provision of life by the blood covering our house caused me to stop and think. God said, “When I see the blood, I will…”
I was reminded that nothing I could ever do would cleanse me or save me. Only the Blood! Being a good or even moral and kind, benevolent person won’t save us. It is Only the Blood of Jesus! Once they left Egypt (Sinful Living), they had the cloud and fire with them perpetually. (Exodus 13-14).
The cloud was their guide in the light of day. The fire was both a guide and protection in the darkness of the night. (Exodus 13). When the Egyptians closed in, the cloud shifted position. It moved behind them. God is not only our guide but our rearguard.
In Exodus 17:6, there is a revelatory statement. One I have overlooked previously. It exploded in my heart as I read, “I will be standing before you there on the rock in Horeb, and you will strike the rock, and water will come out of it so that the people may drink.”
Think about the Cross. The Father was standing there on Golgotha’s rock, and Jesus was struck. From that sacrifice flows the water of life. But never lose sight of the reality that the Father is there to ensure the completion of our redemption. He loves us that much.
I suggest that thought gives new emphasis and understanding to the Ten Commandments. These are not restrictive taboos but expressions of Love and invitations to fellowship. They are keys to liberty and freedom. They are planks in our wall of protection. They are weapons to silence the enemy. They are all realized as we grasp the power of desire! If we desire God with our entire being, He fills us so completely that nothing offered by the world or demanded by the flesh has any power.
God’s dealings with and providing for Israel give a foundation for confidence in Him and assurance of His dependability. Trust is the natural outflow! Lord, help us to have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to believe! The old song, “I surrender all,” is ringing in my heart right now! Lord, we plead the Blood! We desire to follow Your Cloud and rest in the Light of Your Fire!
LORD, help us to see and receive the Blood of Jesus!
Remembering the Dreams
Genesis 42:8-9 – “Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. 9 Then Joseph remembered the dreams he had dreamed about them, and he said to them, “You are spies; you have come to see if our land is vulnerable!”
As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, some thought-provoking things filled my consciousness. In Genesis 42, we have an account of Joseph meeting his brothers for the first time since their treachery. Here in verses 8-9, we are informed that he recognized them, but they did not recognize him. Then it says, “Then Joseph remembered the dreams he had dreamed about them.”
I find it interesting that such a compelling dream would have been forgotten. Maybe it was not forgotten, but as with delayed words from God, put on the back burner. You can’t make them happen, and over time, they lose their luster and fade from our consciousness. We no longer pray about them or make preparations to receive them. They are just another wishful word, not a life-changing force. The word or dream from God is still that, but how we treat it changes. It no longer guides our conscious decisions.
Joseph’s remembering set a whole course of events into motion. His remembering guided his actions. He tested them and conditioned them. In the second encounter, he revealed his identity and set the stage for them to embrace the dream. Genesis 45:3-7, Joseph made an astounding statement of trust: “God sent me ahead of you to preserve life.”
Wait a minute. Who sent you to Egypt? Your brother sold you as a slave! Joseph’s trust in God, remembrance of the dreams, and hope in the covenant of Abraham enabled him to see life from a divine perspective rather than a “woe is me” attitude. He demonstrated what Paul learned: contentment because of confidence in God.
In Genesis 50, after Jacob died, the brothers concocted a plan of self-preservation. Joseph’s response was a revelation of his revelation of God and covenant. He said, “Don’t worry! I’m not blaming you. I don’t justify your wrong, but God engineered this. You intended to end me. You meant it for evil, but God had a plan you could not stop! We are all part of His promise to Abraham.”
Would to God that we could cease making every event about us and see God’s bigger purpose. Those dreams, visions, and prophetic promises you have received are to be landmarks and road signs, not fanciful wishes. Every event of our lives provides an opportunity to become! Those troubles you are begging God to deliver you from may well be the honing stones to prepare you for the greatness of His purpose. They may be designed to shape you, so you have the capacity and insight to take the next step. It is not about us!
God will turn every tragedy into triumph, but first shapes us so the triumph doesn’t puff us up and destroy us.
LORD, help us to remember the dreams and visions you have birthed in our hearts!
True Freedom
John 8:31-36 – “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will be made free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” NKJV
It is possible to be in chains and not be a slave or be without bonds and be enslaved. Chains do not determine True Freedom; the heart and mind do. Unfortunately, nothing we do will eradicate human bondage, and men will enslave other men against their wills in the natural. I can only imagine the physical, mental, and even spiritual torture that being captive brings. My heart breaks for anyone who has endured that condition, either as a prisoner of war, a human slave against their will, a hostage, or anything of the like.
I know two men who, though captives, were never Enslaved in their hearts and minds. One was a Japanese prisoner during WWII and escaped; the other was held in Hanoi by the Vietnamese and endured years of horrific, inhumane torture and abuse. Both professed that their faith in God and belief in the Word of God kept them free, though in chains. They were and are examples of True Freedom!
The only True Freedom comes through the shed blood of Jesus and the Grace of God. If we receive the forgiveness of sin and are born again, we experience True Freedom! A person who is thusly free can be imprisoned, chained, and otherwise enslaved physically, but they will never be a Slave in their heart or mind because the Son has set them free!
Today, in America, we celebrate our Independence, and yet, thousands are still enslaved in some form. Enslavement attitude is possibly worse than being enslaved in the flesh, for if a person’s mind is captive, the attitude and actions will reflect that condition. Breaking free and living life to the full is virtually impossible because the mind is in chains to wrong thinking, victimization, and false premises.
If we receive the Freedom Jesus came to bring, we cannot be enslaved. Remember, if God is for us, who can be against us? As a friend always says, what difference does it make who is against us if God is for us?
God bless you, and I say, Be Free in Jesus!
Focus and Commitment
Genesis 32:24 – “So Jacob was left alone. Then a man wrestled with him until daybreak.”
As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, the thought of focus and commitment filled my thoughts. We cultivate harvests through our focus, commitment, and follow-through.
When Jacob was preparing to face Esau in Genesis 32, he separated his family and possessions from himself. He was fearful and trying to devise an escape plan. In verse 24, we read, “So Jacob was left alone.”
That is a horrible place where we are unable to escape our inner thoughts and fears. It is also a wonderful place because there we must face God, and if we are to have any hope of victory, we must wrestle with God’s purpose, settling in our hearts, our focus, and commitment. Jacob wrestled with God all night long. (Type of Intercession). He was changed forever that night!
When Jacob’s daughter had been raped, two of his sons took the matter into their own hands, forcing Jacob to relocate. He went to Bethel (House of God). He went to the place symbolic of God’s presence. He instructed his family to rid themselves of all their idols and to change their clothes. Jacob opened the door to trouble by burying the idols and articles rather than burning them.
Focus guides us and helps us commit and follow through on our purpose. Focus enables us to see our objective and to be keenly aware of the pitfalls and hindrances.
In Athens, Paul was stirred because of the idolatry. His focus on his mission and commitment launched him into action. Are we grieved in our spirits over the condition of those around us? Does the evil of this world trouble us, or are we able to live unaffected by it? Does it keep us awake, or does it have little impact?
In Acts 20:24, Paul focused on his commission and God’s purposes. He was unconcerned about ease or safety. He was focused on the assignment to share Jesus with all. In verse 35, he explained the focus of his life: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
How much is our soul worth? That’s how much every soul is worth. I’m disturbed by my too-frequent ability to live an unaffected life while the world around me is ravaged by sin. If I truly love like Jesus, I will be unable to live an unaffected life. Life is not about ease. Life here is secondary to eternity! My focus will determine my destiny and destination.
LORD, help us to focus and make a full commitment to you!
Friendship With God
Job 29:1-6 – “Then Job continued his speech: 2 “O that I could be as I was in the months now gone, in the days when God watched over me, 3 when He caused his lamp to shine upon my head, and by His light I walked through darkness; 4 just as I was in my most productive time, when God’s intimate friendship was experienced in my tent, 5 when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me; 6 when my steps were bathed with butter
and the rock poured out for me streams of olive oil!”
As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, I was deeply challenged in my spirit. As I read the story of Job, something in Job 29:4 arrested me. Job spoke of a time before his dilemma and trial. He longed for the time, “When the friendship of God was over my tent.” Friendship with God had been his covering! WOW!
In Job 31, he positions his mind in accordance with covenant. He used the “if” and “then” to illustrate his commitment. Thirteen times he said, “If” I have done this, “then” let this curse or judgment come upon me. That is either incredible deception or confidence in his condition and position.
Then the apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians, describes our relationship with Jesus and with each other. Paul’s plea was for total surrender and recognition of the Body of Christ so that we can become who God has purposed us to be.
In 1 Corinthians 5, he dealt with excessive tolerance and revealed how immorality should affect the believers. It should grieve us just as loss in death does because it is a kind of death. In 1 Corinthians 6, he unfolded the painful reality that immorality and unrighteousness can never enter the kingdom. He gave a partial list in verses 9-10. In verse 20, he brought it home – Jesus died to free us; how dare we trample His blood under our feet by living in sin?
Job longed for God’s friendship and companionship. Paul longed for purity of heart. God longs for our fellowship, which can only be experienced in total surrender and out of pure hearts.
God, I pray, You will cause us to mourn sin and repent!
Roy's Covenant Corner 