21/04/2020 - PROMISE KEPT

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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 21:9

Moses was certain the Lord’s solution would work, so he made the metal serpent and nailed it to the rod. Now the Most High would never command him to do anything harmful to the Israelite rebels. They needed to see the divine hand working in their favor, as it always has. Thus they would learn to no longer murmur and accuse the Lord of things for which He had no responsibility.

Those who serve God must make sure that He has indeed given a certain order. Then, being sure, you must fulfill it in faith. After all, the Lord would never say anything false and inoperative. This was not an idol, but a type of Christ who would one day die on the cross and draw all to Him. Because we have taken our sickness and pain on the cross, we must look to Christ and see our healing.

By positioning the serpent in God’s appointed place, Moses probably did not know what he was doing. But by trusting in the Lord, he executed divine determination and then saw the result. It is good to have experiences with Him, to fulfill His words without distrusting them. Being Who He is, the heavenly Father would never err. He has foreknowledge – he knows everything beforehand. Moses’ obedience shut up the people and death too.

Those who were bitten had only one option to get rid of the poison: look at the metal snake. Sinners must do the same to be saved: to turn to Jesus on the cross. If some refused to do such a “silly” act, they would perish. Likewise, whoever finds it insane to look at Jesus one day will also weep with sadness and despair, for he will go on to eternal perdition. Have mercy!

He who does not look to Jesus remains in sin and condemnation. Of course, there will be no other opportunity. However, those who believe in the Lord’s work are freed from Hell and become new creatures (2 Cor. 5:17). The saved do not have to wait for the return of the Son of God to begin to reign. From the moment of their conversion they can declare themselves forgiven, saved and victorious. The night for them has passed!

Looking to Jesus and examining His deeds and words in the Scriptures, one qualifies for the Kingdom of Heaven, being born again and becoming the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21). From that moment on, she is empowered to take possession of what the Lord declares to be hers. Now the unbeliever remains under the rule of the enemy. As much as you pray, you will remain oppressed.

Now there is no salvation in any other (Acts 4:12a), the Bible guarantees this. So never allow them to take you where the evil one desires. Continue to walk toward the goal, for the prize of God’s sovereign calling in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:14). Those who do not believe in God suffer great harm. The Savior made us kings and priests for His Father (Rev. 1.6). Be a real believer!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares