Those who have been bitten by a snake in the past will testify that the experience is awful. Snakebite is so poisonous that if it’s not quickly treated it could lead to death. God uses a snake as a symbol of Satan. The problems of mankind can be likened to snakebites, and they are the handiwork of Satan. His ultimate goal is to kill (John 10:10). But God has provided an unmatched solution to the bites of a snake. Whether it be a bite of sin or of sickness. Whether it be an emotional bite, a spiritual bite, or an economic bite, the solution remains the same. God first gave the picture of this solution in Numbers 21:4-9 where the children of Israel were bitten by snakes in the wilderness as a result of their sin against God. These bites led to the death of several Israelites until they cried out to Moses for help. Moses intercession led to this solution: “The Lord said to Moses, make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live. So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived” (Number 21:8, 9). Perhaps a snake has bitten you in certain areas of your life; and no solution has yet been found since you have been looking for one. Here is the unmatched solution for you. So, read on. The solution God gave to Moses was a two-sided one: (1) The offer from above, and (2) The look from beneath. These two parts must work together for the solution to be effective.
The Offer From Above
When Israel cried out to God for a solution, God did not disappoint them. He offered them a wonderful solution, which did not only end the death in the wilderness, but has now become the answer to all human problems. Yet, a lot of people miss this. God told Moses to make a bronze snake and hang the same on a pole. God offered this solution from above and requested a look from those bitten. The offer from above is fully under God’s control, and God gave it in form of a bronze snake to the Israelites as a type of Jesus, who became sin (or a snake) in order to swallow up the sins (or problems) of the world. To do this He was hung or crucified on a tree (the cross), which Moses pole represented. Jesus Himself says in John 3:14, 15, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus was saying in essence that He is the offer from above. That whoever looks upon Him by faith will not die from sin and other problems, but live. He is therefore the offered solution to all human needs. With this, God has permanently made His offer to all who are troubled. His part is complete and guaranteed. There is nothing more for Him to do.
Since the time of Jesus Christ, innumerable souls have benefited from this solution. There has never been any kind of problem here on earth that has not been solved by Him. The lame met Him and he walked. The hungry met Him and were fed. The spiritually troubled met Him, and was set free. The dead have been raised, and the sick healed. Several have been delivered from one addiction or the other. Troubled marriages have been restored. Failing businesses have regained normalcy. Of all who have by faith and in sincerity looked unto Him, none has been put to shame. If this is true, why is it that this offer appears not to be working for some people who have “looked” upon Him? We can then turn to the second part for the answer: The look from beneath.
The Look From Beneath
When God made an offer from above as a solution to the snakebites, He placed the burden of looking at the offer upon mankind. While God is fully in control of the offer from above, man on the other hand is fully in control of the looking. The offer from above must meet with the look from beneath at a point for the solution to be effective. This is where the problem lies. A number of people carry their problems with them every day looking for a solution somewhere else other than the one God has offered. Some trust in the Psychic solution, some trust in witch doctors, others trust in their own wisdom or other forms of powers. Despite their efforts they never find an effective solution. There are still others who claim to be looking upon Jesus, but are still bound in their problems because they have not been looking right. In other words, man may choose not to look at the offer that God has made available to him, as we have seen down through the ages. Or he may look, but not in the right manner. If this happens, no solution will be received. There were probably those who still did not look at Moses’ bronze snake, and died from the bites as a result.
How To Look
To look is to first accept this offer as your solution, ask Him to give you a solution, trust, and obey His word. For the solution to be effective, (1) you must look in faith. This means you must first believe in the offer, and then look with expectations. If you are praying for a physical healing, you must believe that you have it, and should not expect to die. This is because what you expect is what you get. (2) You must look at His word. His word has been given for our healing and direction. The Bible is the manual for our lives.
Problems can come as a result of the violation of spiritual or natural laws. If you disobey the laws of God and violate the natural laws, you can run into problems. To solve the problems, you must then turn to the word of God to make the necessary changes. You must be prepared to correct the wrong in the light of God’s word. If you suffer from obesity control your appetite. If your marriage is rocking, humble yourself and obey the divine law governing marriage (Ephesians 5:21-33). If you are in the occult, involved in any form of idolatry, or living in sin, you will need to quit immediately and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Remember that whenever you look at the word of God, you look unto Jesus Christ, because He is the word of God (John 1:1). (3) You must look unto Him alone. If you depend on other powers you will be disappointed. Jeremiah 17:5 says, “Cursed is the man who trusts in man, and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord.” So, if you trust Him as your solution, you will be able to testify like King David who says in Psalm 37:25, “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken, or their children begging bread.” I pray that Jesus should meet you today, at the point of your needs as you look unto Him for a solution.
To receive Jesus as your Lord and personal Savior, pray this prayer: “Lord, I am a sinner. I now repent of my sin, and come to you for mercy and forgiveness. I hereby accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and personal Savior. Thank you for saving me, in Jesus name.
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