America is moving further and further away from God. Good is being called evil, and evil is being called good. Darkness is trying to overpower the light. (Isaiah 5:20) It’s hard not to worry about where it’s all headed. God will not allow the sins of a nation to go unpunished. He never has. But as I read the Bible this morning, I was once again given a hopeful reminder from the pages of history. A reminder of God always at work to fulfill His purpose.
In Exodus, we read about the unfolding of one of God’s great rescue plans. The Hebrew people, God’s people, were trapped in a godless nation by an all-powerful ruler who would not let them go. But God had a Promised Land awaiting them and He intended to bring them there by mighty intervention. He sent a series of plagues that showed His power and ultimately freed His people. As I read, I was reminded of some important things:
God is still in control.
Even as Pharoah continued to harden his heart and the Israelites were waiting for their promised rescue, God was in control. Nothing has changed today. God is still in control and nothing that happens takes Him by surprise. He has a final rescue plan, the return of Jesus Christ to rule and reign, and that is our guaranteed outcome.
Our mission has not changed.
Moses and Aaron went before Pharoah again and again even though he kept shutting them down. God told them to keep at it, so they did. Their mission didn’t change just because the response wasn’t what they hoped for. As Christ-followers, our mission has not changed. The commission to spread the gospel still stands. (Matthew 28:19-20) The commands to love God and love our neighbor are still the priorities. (Matthew 22:37-40) We are still called to be a light in the darkness and to spread hope amid despair.
God will make a distinction between the righteous and the wicked.
This truth jumped out at me from the pages of the Bible and brought peace to my soul. As the plagues fell on Egypt, God proclaimed this to Pharoah: “I will make a distinction between My people and Your people.” (Exodus 8:23)
God said this more than once. And more than once His people were spared from the terrible plagues that befell the land of Egypt. When the final plague descended, God once again spared His people. The angel of death passed right over the homes distinguished by the blood of a lamb. (Exodus 12:13) It was an incredible foretaste of the true Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ, and the final Passover for God’s children because of His sacrifice. When we trust in Christ for salvation, we are distinguished by His blood. We will not experience God’s judgment. Jesus did that for us.
Unfortunately, as Jesus’ return draws near, things in the world around us are going to get worse. The enemy knows his days are numbered and he doesn’t intend to go down without a fight. But if you have made Jesus your Lord and Savior, you have nothing to fear. God has made a distinction between you and those destined for destruction. You are no longer a child of wrath, You are a child of God. (Ephesians 2:3-6, 1 John 3:1)
They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. – Malachi 3:17-18 ESV
