Jesus Alone is the Answer

Verse of the day: Exodus 12:12-13 “For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. 13 Now 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 the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.”

Exodus, chapter 7 through 12, records for us the account of the ten plagues that God unleashed on Egypt to accomplish two things; the first was to show God’s people, the Israelites, that their God was powerful and could be trusted to deliver them, and the second was to show both His people, and the Egyptians, that the heathen gods that they worshiped were useless and powerless. Outside of Egypt, God parted the Red Sea, and defeated the Amorites, which put fear in the hearts of the nations that surrounded them (Joshua 2:9-11). Each plague that we read about is aimed at a particular god(s) that the Egyptians worshiped and served. The first plague, water turned to blood, was a strike against three of their gods, Apis, Isis, and Khnum, the god, goddess, and guardian of the Nile. The second, the plague of frogs, was a strike against Heqet, who was their frog-headed goddess of birth; just to name a few. All of these plague progressed until God finally plagued them with the death of the firstborn of each household, striking a blow, once again, against Isis, who was supposedly the protector of children. Throughout the time that God brought these plagues upon Egypt and its people, He protected His people, and those of Egypt that heeded God’s warnings (Exodus 8:22-23; 9:6-7, 19-26). This is a picture of God’s mercy and grace toward those who are His, and those who heed His Word, even in the midst of great tribulation and tragedy. As God establishes the Passover with the Israelites in this chapter we see the ultimate picture of our being sealed by the Blood of Jesus, so that we, as God’s children, who have trusted, and called upon, Jesus as our Savior and Lord, are protected from condemnation that is to come, when God finally judges the world for its sins (Romans 8:1). So often we make so many things in our lives our gods. Our money, and status in society, turns into our saviors when difficulties arise, but money and status cannot save us from every circumstance. It cannot heal us when we are sick or diagnosed with a life threatening disease. It cannot protect us from injury or death. The same applies to relying on people, who are limited in power and influence in many instances. Who we know, and what influence they have, is useless to us when a loved one falls ill or is killed as a result of an accident, or are injured due to a crime committed against them. So it is with eternal condemnation; our good works, our idols, our earthly gains, or status, cannot save us from eternal death and condemnation. Just like the Israelites during their first Passover, if we are not covered, and sealed, by the Blood of Jesus, we will suffer eternal condemnation; first in Hell, then ultimately in the Lake of Fire (John 3:18; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:11-15). One of the saddest things that I have seen, as a born again believer, is people who have put some piece of jewelry (cross), statue of some saint or biblical character, animal, person, job, hobby, child, some object in nature, or anything else, in the place that belongs only to the Jesus. What god is occupying the throne of our lives? Only Jesus should be King of our lives, as only He is King of kings, and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; 19:16). God took drastic measures against Egypt to show both His people, and the Egyptians, who is the one and only true God. Does He need to take drastic measures against His own children to remind us that He is the only One we should be worshiping and holding up in our lives as the only God who can bring true salvation and eternal life to all who believe on His Name? Let us not wait until tragedy strikes close to home before we come to the realization that the only answer for us in any situation or circumstance is Jesus.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).