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Daily Devotion: Hebrews 11:28

Hebrews 11:28    "Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them."

This morning, I seem to be stuck on two words, "through faith".  Some of the verses in this 11th chapter begin with the words, "by faith," while others, as this morning's verse, begin with "through faith."  As I quickly glance back, I see action taking place with the words, "by faith." For example, "by faith he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter and he forsook Egypt."  "By faith Noah prepared an ark." Whereas the words, "through faith" tend to infer an inner strength that allows a mindset to be toward the very power of God. "Through faith, we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God."  "Through faith Sara received strength.... because she judged him faithful who had promised."

And now we come to this morning's verse, "Through faith he kept the passover and the sprinkling of the blood." At first glance, this might seem to indicate a physical action taking place. And indeed, there was the action of slaying the lamb, smearing the blood on the doorpost, and eating of that lamb. But the original word, kept, as it is used in this verse goes beyond the action. It goes to the very heart of Moses and those who "kept the passover".  This word indicates a commitment, a security, an abiding in the truth of what the blood would do for them. It goes to a matter of the heart. In their hearts, they "kept the passover" as all the destruction was occuring in Egypt when the firstborn of every family, including Pharaoh's family, died that night.

What was the security that was given to the people of Israel? Let's be reminded of God's promise:  "And 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)  As they sat in their houses that night, they "kept the passover" promise in their hearts. God said when He passed through the land to smite Egypt, He would "pass over" those houses that were marked, covered, by the blood of the lamb.  They committed their hearts and minds to the promise and faithfulness of the Lord God Almighty and they abode in that promise of security by the grace of God. They "kept the passover".

We are told in 1 Corinthians 5:7, "For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us."  John spoke of Jesus when He came to the Jordan River to be baptized, "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world."   There is only one element that keeps us secure in the promise of God's grace. Let me repeat that: There is only one element that keeps us secure in the promise of God's grace. That element is the shed blood of Jesus Christ. The efficacy of the blood has been, and will be, applied to the heart of every child of God and it is not by our works that it is applied. It is purely and simply the sovereign work of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that brings us from being dead in trespasses and sins to alive in Christ Jesus.  I close this devotion by saying, through faith let us "keep the Passover."  Understand the security that is ours "through" Christ Jesus. Nothing can separate us from the love of God through Christ Jesus the Lord. And then "by faith" let us be obedient and faithful in our service unto Him.

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