Look And Live

TEXT

"And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live

(Numbers 21:8).

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:14-15).

THE PLAGUE

Life is a gift from God. We often take it for granted until something happens to threaten our enjoyment of life. Whenever our comfort is disturbed we murmur and complain, we blame God and those he has put to lead us. We completely forget about all he has done for us previously.

God allowed a plague of fiery serpents to invade the camp of the Israelites after they murmured against Him and Moses. They despised the manna God provided for them and longed for the delights of Egypt (the delights of sin). Like Lot's wife, they looked back after their deliverance.

They however repented, after many had died from the plague and God provided a solution by asking Moses to erect a high pole and set a fiery serpent made of brass on it. Whoever looked upon the fiery, brass serpent when bitten will be healed and live. God did not take the source of their pain away as the serpents remained in their camp. They only had to look up and live.

There are several lessons we can learn from the experience of the Israelites as we endure the plague of the corona virus ravaging the world today.

Humans are notorious for murmuring and complaining. Many despise God and cast aspersions on his goodness and mercy. Those that profess to serve Him, do so with their mouths and not their hearts.

The brass image represents the old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan (Revelation 12:9); while the act of biting is likened to sin. Sin is poisonous and kills. Satan's temptation are called fiery darts (Ephesians 6:16). Sin bites like a serpent and stings like an adder (Proverb 23:32). At the last, the sweetness derived from it turns to bitter gall.

The Lord will shield you from every fiery dart of Satan in Jesus name.

GOD'S REMEDY

The solution provided for the Israelites is similar to what God has put in place to deliver man from the plague of sin. Jesus was lifted up on the cross of calvary and crucified for the sin of the world. On the cross, he defeated Satan and spoiled principalities and powers; publicly obtaining victory over them and sin (Colossians 2:15).

As many that look unto Jesus and believe shall be saved from the poisonous sting and consequences of sin. He is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2); the only effective solution God has provided for the malady of sin (Acts 4:12).

The Bible says in Isaiah 45:22, "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God and there is none else".

Look unto Jesus today and be saved. All the ends of the earth should look up to Jesus and live.

The Lord is looking down even now as the world looks up to him in ithe midst of this COVID-19 pandemic and will lift and save as many as receive him and believe on his name (John 1:12, 3:16).

God allows plagues and afflictions from the old serpent, Satan for various reasons; but He has made provisions for the deliverance of humanity. As simple as the solution is, many still stumble and refuse to believe. They refuse to look up to the solution but continue to look down and receive the poisonous sting of Satan and

tumble on the broad way to eternal destruction.

CONCLUSION

In the midst of every plague, there is a solution. Look unto Jesus with faith today and be saved.