I deal with a lot of people who are going through a lot of things and some of them are really bad. We live in a world where bad things happen. There is I.S.I.S., terrorism, and all kinds of evil all around us. Then you come down to our families and friends and you see all kinds of illnesses and situations that just break your heart. Depression, divorce, cancer, mental illness and the list could go on and on. All of this is just dealing with the physical aspect of life. This doesn’t even deal with the drug abuse that we see in our neighborhood, the sexual abuse that we see, the fact that we are raising a generation that doesn’t know how to communicate with each other because of the technology that is available to us. Now before everyone gets all defensive, I love technology I don’t know how to use it very well, but I believe that it is also hurting our families, friendships and damaging our society.
So some of you might be thinking, “Alright preacher, you’ve named some pretty bad things, and yet the title of this blog is ‘It Could be Worse…’ How could it be worse?” Well, I’m glad you asked. I was reading a passage in Exodus that had the word “Touch” in it and it struck me that we are still a blessed people. Even with all these things going on we are still blessed. Maybe I should explain a little.
Here’s the passage that I was reading, Exodus 12:13 (GW) “But the blood on your houses will be a sign for your protection. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. Nothing will touch or destroy you when I strike Egypt.” Now many of us know the story of the Israelites and their slavery in Egypt. They had been there for 400 years. When they first went to Egypt it was a pretty sweet deal. They had the choice land, they did business with the Egyptians, and life was good. However, things changed when a new Pharaoh took the throne. He got a little nervous about the number of Israelites that were living in the land. So he enslaved them and life that was good became hard. After some time they started crying out to God to get them out. Moses steps on the scene and starts to work on getting them out following God’s leading.
However, how many of you know that when you want out of something, or you want something changed in your life, more than likely the heat will get turned up? The reason is that the enemy doesn’t want you to grow in the Lord. He doesn’t want you to mature in the Lord. He doesn’t want God’s best for your life. He likes you in slavery. He likes you working for him. He doesn’t want you to experience freedom. He doesn’t want you to know that you have power over him. So what does he do, he turns up the heat. Usually things get worse before they get better. That’s what was happening to the Israelites. They were getting worse before they got better. This passage is leading up to the last plague, the Angel of Death was about to Passover all of Egypt and wherever there was blood he would Passover. That plague would NOT “Touch” that house.
WOW!!!!!!! Think about the power of the blood. I’m so grateful this morning as I write this blog that I have the blood of Jesus. They watched Him for 3 ½ years to make sure that He was pure without spot or blemish. Then the hung Him high and stretched Him wide. There He took my sin on Himself so that I can be free today. He was placed in a tomb, but on the 3rd day He walked out alive carrying the keys of death and hell. I’m no longer a slave. I no longer live in Egypt. Why? Because the blood of Jesus has been applied and “Touched” my life and the plague of death won’t “Touch” me. The Apostle Paul puts it this way, 2 Corinthians 5:8 (KJV) “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” It’s only through the blood of Christ.
So you see, it could be worse. Even though I deal with neurological issues, even though I deal with the evil of this world, even though I struggle with all that goes on here, it could be worse. But because of the Blood of Christ, it isn’t!!! Can you rejoice in that this morning with me? Has the Blood of Christ been applied to your life? If not, then yes it can be worse and will be worse for you until you apply that blood. However, there is good news for you, the Blood can be applied right now just be asking Him to apply it. All you have to do is pray and ask. His Word says He will and He will come and “Touch” you. I have one favor to ask, leave me a comment and let me know how He “Touched” you.
Love y’all and I’m so glad that it’s not worse.
Pastor Rob
