"ATTENTION!!!"
God said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it on a flagpole: Whoever is bitten and looks at it will live." (21:8)
It used to be I was really bothered by this verse, for it was almost as if God was putting up an idol of sorts. Why not have them bow down before Him while He is there as a cloud or a pillar of fire?
Then I realize.
It used to be I was really bothered by this verse, for it was almost as if God was putting up an idol of sorts. Why not have them bow down before Him while He is there as a cloud or a pillar of fire?
Then I realize.
Humans.
How fickle we are.
How fickle we are.
How often God is right there before us, and we can't see Him because we have gotten "used" to Him, taken Him for granted, need something bigger and better to worship.
How often has He showered us with blessings, and we begin to grumble soon afterward.
Much like a small child opening presents, ripping through the paper to the next one and when finished unwrapping, wonder where are the others - not enjoying the presents.
Sometimes, He gives us "a snake on a flagpole", because it is the only way to get our attention. That will turn us away from the selfish, self-absorbed, self-gratifying, self-centered worship we are centered on.
Sometimes, He gives us "a snake on a flagpole", because it is the only way to get our attention. That will turn us away from the selfish, self-absorbed, self-gratifying, self-centered worship we are centered on.
Even when we are being bitten and dying.
This is what happens when our focus turns away from Him. We get caught up in the snake infested world we live in, just like the snake charmer. We are risking our souls for eternal death.
And when we do stop and look at the snake on the flagpole, we need to look past it and focus on Him.
Otherwise, we begin to worship the snake.
This is what happens when our focus turns away from Him. We get caught up in the snake infested world we live in, just like the snake charmer. We are risking our souls for eternal death.
And when we do stop and look at the snake on the flagpole, we need to look past it and focus on Him.
Otherwise, we begin to worship the snake.
Be it the building we feel comfortable worshiping in, ministers who deliver His Word, people or things that draw us near to Him.
We need to stay focused on our Christ and what His sacrifice did for us. Freed us from.
We need to stay focused on our Christ and what His sacrifice did for us. Freed us from.
For if we stay focused on His death and not His resurrection, we miss the reason for our Christ, our Savior. We miss The Hope. We miss The Grace and Mercy.
He doesn't want us to stop at The Cross. He wants us to continue onward. Making Disciples as we go and grow.
But sometimes, He gives us a snake on the flagpole, as a signpost on the road.
To head us in His direction.
To eternal life............................
But sometimes, He gives us a snake on the flagpole, as a signpost on the road.
To head us in His direction.
To eternal life............................
No comments:
Post a Comment