God sends snakes... sends Jesus

God sends snakes not just to punish us, but more to show us our sins... But he also shows us a way out, if we choose to believe. Just like He sent Jesus so that those who believe are saved.

When we grow impatient, we have problems and it's when all the ugly in us comes out. Or we start acting when maybe we shouldn't.

The Israelites were getting impatient when they felt like all the walking around they were doing was in waste.

Possibly like we feel at work. When things aren't where we thought it would be. Or in life when we're not where we envisioned. Especially when we're not where we thought we'd be, but instead feel like we've taken steps back.

There is a path to where we want to be, because there are lessons we need to learn.

Sometimes we've been faithful to God all this time, and we make our mistake at the last minute. When we feel like we've been faithful "long enough." think of Abraham and how long he's been faithful, and then after so long, tried to take matters in his own hands. What might've happened differently had he just waited longer?

The people of Israel felt like the Lord forgot about them... didn't recognize God was still with them, providing food for them daily.

Often we have a passion to be used by God but we don't have the patience. The reality is that He is working in us and preparing us. We just need to be more patient and know He has a plan. Think of Moses and him being 80 before he's called to act on his mission.

The other thing we need to watch out for is being ungrateful and not recognizing what the Lord is giving us. Don't be ungrateful, not appreciate what we're given, greedy and want more.

We often recognize what the Lord ha given us in the past and we believe He will provide in the future... But often feel he has forsaken us in the present. And the problem is that we always live in this period called the present. Not the past or the future. We need to recognize how he's taking care of us today.

God sent snakes to give the people a chance to go to Him and make their problems a more personal item with him. And when they did, he didn't just take the problem (snakes) away, instead he have them a choice in how they deal with it. They can try and kill the snakes, or prevent them from getting bit... Or they can look up to him and get saved.

The Lord doesn't always solve our problems the way we think he should, or even through ways we think are possible options. Just like the bronze snake isn't a solution we would've thought of. Or like the bread and fish he multiplied to feed thousands. He works in ways we don't comprehend.

So instead of looking at our problems, we need to look to the Lord.

(11/20/11 Athey Creek Christian Fellowship Church)

Created 6 months ago