Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
Numbers 21: 6-8
21:6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
21:7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
21:8 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.
A Fatal Decision—
There were those who stopped to reason regarding the foolishness of looking for relief to this means. That they should be healed by looking at a piece of brass was absurd to their minds, and they said, “We will not look.” This decision was fatal, and all who would not accept the provision made perished. {1BC 1116.3}
The brazen serpent was uplifted in the wilderness that those who looked in faith might be made whole. In like manner God sends a restoring, healing message to men, calling upon them to look away from man and earthly things, and place their trust in God. He has given His people the truth with power through the Holy Spirit. He opened His Word to those who were searching and praying for truth. But when these messengers gave the truth they had received to the people, they were as unbelieving as the Israelites. Many are cavilling over the truth brought to them by humble messengers (Manuscript 75, 1899). {1BC 1116.4}
Just as Moses lifted up the pole with the brazen serpent, so was the Son of man lifted on the cross, that all who look upon Him might live. Christ Jesus told us these things before they happened, so when they happened, we might believe. Yet there are those who continue to disbelief, lacking the faith of Jesus. They are more content looking to man and earthly things rather than looking on the giver of life. Sadly, many will die in unbelief and will not inherit the kingdom of God. This is their fatal decision. Keep your eyes on Jesus that you will be made whole and live.
Dear God,
We thank You for giving us Your breath of life. You are the giver of all things, and You gave us Your only begotten son, that whosoever believeth on Him would not perish but have everlasting life. We thank You for this promise because You love us so much. We pray that we may keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, that we may inherit Your eternal kingdom in heaven. Increase our faith, and help our unbelief. Help us to evangelize the good news so none would make the fatal decision of taking their eyes off You. We pray for a double portion of Your Holy Spirit to receive power from on High. Save us, dear Lord, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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