A Spectacle Of Glory #341

Read: Numbers 21:6-9

Diana suffers from intractable pain. Recently she told me, “Joni, sometimes I don’t have the strength to even lift my head. It’s that painful!” I can identify with my friend. When I’m discouraged and besieged by pain, I can feel like my face is squished hard against the floor. But as I told Diana, I’ve drawn encouragement from a story found in today’s Scripture. Out in the wilderness, God’s people were in terrible trouble. But the Lord told them that if they would simply look at the bronze snake Moses had fastened to a pole, their rescue was assured. Just look. Just lift your eyes. Sometimes rescue is that close.

The beloved disciple John recorded Jesus’ words: “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”^a If you feel overwhelmed today, lift your eyes. Just look to Jesus.

Lord, if I had to go on some long journey or pilgrimage to find You, I’d never make it. If I had to look for You down every street and alleyway, I’d never track You down. But in Your love, You made Yourself accessible, reachable, findable. All I have to do is look up and call on Your name.