For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD. 13 The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.
The most terrifying part of 1984 is the hero not knowing when his execution bullet would strike. Instead of enjoying the time he had left, he dreaded the journey toward death without hope. The Egyptians had been through many plagues up to this point but they were mere irritations compared to what was coming, the death of every firstborn. For them, “that night” was all they would be able to think of. But for the Hebrews, God gave a way to be saved through a spotless lamb and its shed blood. Even in slavery, they had hope of life. The Egyptians merely walked the earth, waiting for the kill.
That is the way many live their lives today, waiting for the inevitable decay and death that their life is. They can say they will just enjoy the journey but without hope, they are merely pretending. The bullet could come at any moment. That is why the hope of “that day” is such a blessing. We have the Lamb inside us and his blood saves us. No plague can destroy us.
Dear Lord, thank you for the assurance and hope that comes from applying the blood of the Lamb to our lives. Help us to truly enjoy the journey to your kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church