Numbers 21:9 (NIV): “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, they lived.”
I have had some serious injuries. In July 2002 I broke my skull, with a fracture from the back of my skull to my right ear canal. I had blood coming out of my right ear. Two years later on my 61st jump out of an aircraft I landed poorly and broke my pelvic ring which resulted in multiple surgeries and months of recuperation. I really don’t recommend either of those injuries.
After those experiences I developed a deep appreciation for the entire medical profession. I continue to have some issues, but overall I feel so blessed.
One thing that has never happened to me is being bitten by a snake. I’m not volunteering. The nation of Israel, after leaving Egypt, and after experiencing multiple miracles, continued to speak against God. God therefore sent venomous snakes among them leading to many deaths. That got their attention. They finally went to God and sought a solution. God told Moses that the solution was a snake on a pole. After they had been bitten, they were to look at the snake on the pole and be healed.
I don’t know about you but that really sounds crazy. God set it up for them to look at the object representing what had caused people to die. In other words, they were to simply face their fear of death by trusting in healing the way that God had designed.
The snake on a pole is now the symbol of the medical profession. While I trust in doctors for what they do, ultimately I trust in God for healing. Our nation needs healing. Vaccines are fine, but God is the source of healing. I want to demonstrate to others that faith in God is the foundation for healing in our nation. I believe that our nation needs God’s healing not only physically, but in every aspect of our society. Our divisions can only be healed through Jesus.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessing of the medical profession as symbolized by a snake on a pole. But I confess that I primarily come to You for my healing. I also pray for my nation. May we all look to You to heal our divisions
