Venomous Snake Infestation

The first time I read about the bronze replica of a snake on a pole in the book of Numbers, I immediately saw the beautiful picture of Jesus.  This was many years ago in my early Christian walk.  I’ve read it many times since then.   But the wonder and excitement of that first moment has not been equaled.  That is not until recently.

In studying the book of John and using the John MacArthur commentary on the book, I was again struck with wonder.  However, this time from another angle. And I might add,  maybe I should change the word, “wonder” to “terror”.  All it took from the commentary is the word “infest”.  Yes, I definitely took new notice as I read that word.  Actually, it’s more like six words, six words in one sentence from one chapter: “venomous snakes to infest their camp”. (Chapter 9, pg. 114, MacArthur New Testament Commentary, John 1-11)  Think about it: INFESTED.  Snakes were everywhere. 

There is a place at my house that I have decided snakes reside.  To cap it, last year I found a snakeskin lying in the area.  Evidence in place, I now look with great caution in the whole area I’ve come to call, “the snake highway".  And this from just a feeling and one snakeskin.  In fact, the term, “snake in the grass” has new meaning for me as the area also has tall grass.  I get anxious and dread fills me just from the shear expectation of the possibility of a snake.  And this from one snakeskin!

But this moment in the history of the Old Testament, we’re talking about you don’t have to guess if the snakes are there.  They are everywhere, biting and killing people with their deadly venom.  Five short verses record this incident but the impact on the people was huge.  And by all means, the impact of this incident and it’s foreshadowing must reign huge in our minds.  (Numbers 21:5-9)

With the fall in the garden, everyone since has been born “infested” with sin.   Just like the Israelites were infested with venomous snakes in the camp in the wilderness wandering, we are infested with the blight of deadly sin from which there is no human cure.  By faith, the Israelites “looked” at a snake on a pole.  By faith, we must look to the God/Man on a cross, Jesus Christ. 

God gives us the cure.  God gives us the faith to look.  God is Sovereign, Supreme and Supplier for all parts of our healing.  God alone.  I love the simplicity and power of those words: God Alone!  May we experience daily the wonder and terror of our God.  

"Perfected in Unity"

On my exercise walk recently, a black flash caught my attention, and I looked up.  There above me was a giant crow.   It was almost as big as a hawk.  He was traveling pretty fast which is probably why I noticed; they are a bit large for fast flight.  At his tail, chirping loudly, were two very small birds (at least they were small in comparison to the crow).  These very small birds were chasing the black bird and he was fleeing.  I thought it humorous but also it was one of those moments you want to shout, “Hooray!” as the underdog had the upper hand.

Immediately, my thoughts turned to our walk as Christians and the importance of having brothers and/or sisters in Christ to help us stay the course.  We need each other to chase away the big black bird of sin.  I do not say that lightly nor do I mean it to be humorous.  It is very serious.  Do we have someone to whom we can turn for accountability?  I would say first, the Word needs to be administered daily like the needed food it is.  But we also need camaraderie.  John 17:23 says “that they may be perfected in unity.”  Why?  That the world may know that God sent Jesus and loves us as He loves Him.  (paraphrased from same passage)

Those little birds were boldly keeping their family safe and in tact by chasing off the predator.  Let us be faithful in our commitment to chase off our predator on a daily basis.

Powerless Efforts

Recently I was helping with a clean-up project.  I had volunteered to vacuum, something I'm very capable of doing!  So vacuum, I did.  I worked hard on this little room, vacuuming every little nook and cranny, window frames, baseboards, and even the closet.  It started off a bit hard, as I was using a vacuum I had never used and it was a shop-vac, which was a bit heavy.  But I wasn't to be deterred by a little extra effort and I became engrossed in my work.  The more I did the easier it became.  However, upon completion, I turned toward to vacuum to flip the switch to off and found to my embarrassed dismay that my hose had been disconnected.  I wasn't even aware when it happened.  Probably when it became "easy", I should have done some checking up on it.  I looked around to see if anyone was watching.  Thankfully, no one!  But I tell on myself today to make a point, a point I immediately realized as I looked at that hose I had carried around the room without any power!

How often do we as believers charge full speed ahead in our own energy to do a work we say is for the Lord?  For myself and my almost forty years of living for God, I would have to say, "way too many times".  Let us never charge ahead without bowing our heads in adoration to and complete dependence upon God.  I meant to write this many weeks ago, but busyness had disabled my posting.  However, I was reminded of it this morning when I read the following from "Valley Of Vision":  "I have laboured too much for spiritual life, peace of conscience, progressive holiness, in my own strength."

May we commit our work to the Lord, as we also ask Him for the strength and ability to accomplish that work.