The Sprinkled Blood Speaks
The Sprinkled Blood Speaks
A few weeks ago, I was having one of those days, when everything was difficult. After a few hours battling with life I discerned that I was under attack. It was the age old foe, the “accuser of the brethren.” In Revelation 12:10 he is described as a being who “accuses them before our God day and night.” Jesus calls him a liar and the father of lies in John 8:44.
I have listened to his lies and foul accusations off and on for years, as have all earnest Christians. He has been practicing these strategies for thousands of years. Once I had identified the enemy, I began resisting him (James 4:7), and binding the strong man in Jesus’ name (Matthew 18:18). I also asked Jesus to deliver me from evil (Matthew 6:13).
Even though I was fighting the good fight, there was not a significant change. Then the Spirit of God came to my rescue and whispered a powerful phrase, “the blood speaks.” I looked up the complete verse and found it in Hebrews 12:24, “Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.”
Abel’s blood cried out for vengeance. The blood of Jesus declares that His death has satisfied the price for our sin and now cries out for forgiveness. Because of what the Lamb of God has accomplished on the cross by taking away the sins of the world, now God says, “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)
I had been battling darkness that day, but hearing God remind me that His blood speaks better than the foul taunts of the enemy, set me free from the oppressiveness I had been experiencing. The weapons of our warfare are mighty and none is greater than the blood of our advocate which speaks louder and more effectively than the accusations of our enemy.
Other Voices
This experience was a reminder to me that while I often feel accused and condemned by the enemy, I also have other voices that vie for may attention. I have voices from my past that tell me I am inadequate. I have struggled with feeling that no matter what I did, it was never enough to make me pleasing to God. In my experience this kind of condemnation can be the Achilles heal of all earnest believers.
I have learned to recognize the difference between conviction (of the Spirit) and condemnation (of the devil). “Godly grief (conviction) produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief (condemnation) produces death (2 Corinthians 7:10). I am so grateful for the Scriptures that speak words of peace, with power. Romans 8:1 declares, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” None. Nada. Zilch.
Known and Loved
I have also believed the lie, that God didn’t love me as much as He loved others. I often felt that my own sins and weaknesses kept me at the fringes of His affection. God revealed to my mind and heart that He knows all about my needs and still loves me, just as I am. Psalm 139:1 and 3, “O LORD, You have searched me and known me … and are acquainted with all my ways.” I love the power of the gospel in Romans 5:8, “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Reveling in the Truth
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself.” (2 Corinthians 5:17-18) Let’s marinate in the everlasting love of God. For God is love ((1 John 4:16). He never changes (Malachi 3:6). And nothing can separate us from His love. (Romans 8:38-39) Amen and Amen!
Thanks be to God that the blood of the Son of God continues to speak better than the accusations of our past, our misconceptions, and our accuser. May we continue to walk in the strength of God’s provision, for “how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” (Hebrews 9:14)
A Loud Voice in Heaven
“I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, ‘Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” (Revelation 12:10-11)
Homeschool Special Needs Camp
August 22-26 Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch, Stewartville, MN
Join me at the first Joni and Friends Family Retreat for homeschooling families with special needs. It is being co-sponsored by SPED Homeschool and I will be serving as pastor. If you are interested in attending as a family, or volunteering to serve, you can learn more here.
If you have questions about this event, email me at sdemme@demmelearning.com.
Upcoming Conventions
June 2-4 MACHE, in Arden Hills, MN,
June 9-11 HEAV in Richmond, VA, (John will be with me at this event.)
June 16-18 GHC at Ontario, CA,
July 7-9 GHC in Round Rock, TX,
Podcasts may be found here.
I am continuing my series on finding Jesus in the Tabernacle.
316 The Entrance to the Tent of Meeting
317 The Bread of Faces or Bread of Presence, #1
318 The Bread of Faces, Showbread, #2
319 The Golden Lamp Stand, Menorah, #1
320 The Golden Lamp Stand, Menorah, #2
Set Free by the Blood of Jesus,
Steve