Christian Living
Numbers 21:4-9 tells the story of Moses, the disgruntled Israelites, the poisonous serpents and the bronze serpent…
‘Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.” So the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord that He take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.’ Numbers 21:4-9 NKJV
It would seem that while in the wilderness, the Israelites settled into a lifestyle of incessant complaints against Moses and God. It didn’t really matter how good God had been to them or what form of powerful miracles they experienced in the past, a little undesirable or challenging situation somewhat seemed to rattle and quickly destabilize them.
You know it’s easy to think of these Israelites as an ungrateful bunch, but do we sometimes find ourselves whining and grumbling against God at difficult times? Do we lose faith in the day of adversity?
If you ask me, the dangerous stinging and deadly serpents appeared in the camp of the Israelites not to kill but to rightfully focus their attention, trust and faith where it ought to be. Because although some (stubborn) persons died from the poisonous stings, God Already made a way out for any repentant one- a brozen serpent hung on a tree with healing potentials… No, no one needed to die, there was a way out- Look Up and Live!
In John 3:14-15, Jesus relates this particular incident and experience in the wilderness to His death on the cross and the salvation of mankind….
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:14-15 NKJV
Everyone who had been bitten by the poisonous serpent lived as they fixed their gaze on Moses’ bronze serpent. And anyone who believes and receives Jesus as Lord and Saviour is made spiritually alive and infused with eternal life. Halleluyah!
But did you notice that nothing else was said about these poisonous serpents as the people obeyed and directed their gaze as admonished?
Where did the serpents go?
Were they withdrawn? Did they crawl away? Did they die? ….What happened to them?
You know, as I thought about the uneventful ‘disappearance’ of the poisonous serpents, I realized that actually that is how life problems ‘pass away‘ as we move our focus away from them and fix them on Jesus and His Word. You wake up one day and realise the narrative has changed- you have a testimony! The serpents (troubles and challenges) disappear as we keep our eyes on Jesus and His Word.
Brethren, do not let your faith fail in the day of adversity. Jesus already warned us that we would be faced with tribulations, adversities, distress, troubles, in this world.
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 NKJV
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]“
John 16:33 AMPC
So Jesus was saying to them, remember these things that I’ve shared with so you can live in and enjoy peace irrespective of the troubles you will face.
What things did Jesus speak to them? Well, if you have your Bibles, back up to John chapters 14 & 15 and we’ll find the things Jesus told them before John 16….
Jesus revealed the Father to them, told them He is the only Way to the Father, told them to have faith (believe) in Him, assured them of their prayers being answered, promised to send the Helper (the Holy Spirit) that is; God indwelling man!
Truly when we are assured of these things, peace will be our abode.
A Christian who have had repeated attacks in health, finance, marriage, academics, etc might be tempted to become discouraged or frustrated. Well, Jesus says to you …”do not give up, be of good cheer, be encouraged” because I have already overcome the world by the power of the Spirit who also dwells in you.”
Our confidence is in the victory Christ already won for us. Our hope of victory is Christ in us. We are more than conquerors. We stay in the Peace Zone because we are victorious in Christ. We are the righteous and we live a lifestyle of faith for as long we live on this earth.
The serpents (troubles, distress, difficulties and challenges) will surely pass away as we stay with God and His Word.
Stay with God. Stay with the Word.
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Blessings & Love Always!
