Our house has four doors, and every door has a lock. And I think most houses have locks on their doors — has yours?
I remember when I used to deliver newspapers in the city of Ottawa, there was one house where there seemed to be ever so many locks. An old lady lived there, and once a week when I had to ring the bell and collect for the paper, I would hear her turning locks and slipping bolts, and then the last move was always to unhook a big brass chain! Then she would open the door just a little bit and hand out the money for the paper. I’m afraid I thought this was very funny of her, but she lived alone and I expect she was nervous.
Will bolts and bars keep trouble out? Will it keep sickness out? Will it keep death out? I’m afraid not, for that same old lady with all the bolts and bars took sick and died, and now somebody else lives in her house.
Do you remember the story of the children of Israel in the land of Egypt? They were told that the destroying angel of the Lord was going to pass through the land, and was going to put to death the first-born in every home. Did they all rush out and buy more locks and bars to keep him out? Not at all. God made a wonderful provision, and I think you know what it was. He told them to take the blood of a slain lamb and sprinkle it on the lintel and the side posts of their houses. Then He said, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” Exodus 12:1313And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. (Exodus 12:13).
I’m sure if I had lived then, I would have wanted the blood on the door. Perhaps the neighbor might buy a big lock and a new bolt, and then stand and laugh at me for thinking that I could be protected by blood. But still, it is God’s Word, and it is the only thing worth trusting.
There are many who have protected themselves with good works and prayers, and all kinds of things that look ever so nice. But God did not say, “When I see your prayers, or your good deeds, or your good intentions” — but, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.”
Are you sheltered by the blood of Jesus from the judgment that is cong?
ML 07/14/1956