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PRAYER

April 19, 2012 by dianegates

Have you ever watched hermit crabs scurry back and forth alongside the ocean’s edge? The crabs race left, then right, dashing helter-skelter over the sand.

I often feel like those little creatures—skittering through life—running here to do one thing and then over there to do another or put out a fire. Frustrated and fragmented. So many things screaming for my attention—important things, necessary things. Or are they?

At the end of the day I crawl under the covers, weary, wondering what I’ve accomplished and spend the moment, between exhaustion and sleep, mumbling my pathetic state and requests to God. And I wonder why my prayers often continue unanswered? I should wonder that God’s mercy extends to answer any of them.

This morning I read the 9th Chapter of Daniel:

“Now while I was speaking and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God . . . while I was still speaking in prayer, then the man Gabriel. . . gave me instruction and talked with me and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you insight with understanding. At the beginning of your supplications the command was issued, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed . . .” (Daniel 9:20-23 NAS).

Wait a minute. Daniel began to pray and God issued the command and sent Gabriel to give him insight and understanding? Wow! Have you ever had a prayer answered that fast?

I backed up and retraced the beginning of the chapter to glean information about Daniel’s reason and manner of approaching God.

In verse 2 I found that Daniel had been searching the words of Jeremiah and found God had given information there about his questions concerning the end of  Israel’s captivity in Babylon. Then in verse 3 the Word says, “So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.”

Daniel wasn’t skittering about. How long has it been since I’ve given my full attention to the Lord God—for more than fifteen or twenty minutes? Do I even know how to focus completely on God and Him alone?

For the next twelve verses Daniel prayed and confessed who God is, what He does, and the deplorable state of Israel and himself. Now I know enough about Daniel’s life to ask he’s confessing? This man—a warrior for the Lord God—is  admitting open shame, willful sin, and rebellion?

From verses 17-19 he asks God to listen and hear. To open His eyes and see the desolations of His people. Why? Not for any merits he or Israel possessed but on account of God’s great compassion. He asked God to hear, forgive, listen and take action.

My prayers are often laced with what I want, what I think others need, and what I need to do to accomplish the above—with few thoughts to what God wants. Verse 21 tells us Gabriel came to Daniel in his extreme weariness about the time of the evening offering.

I’ve never even come close to extreme weariness on account of seeking God’s face in prayer and worship, have you? And I wonder why I’ve prayed for years about some requests receiving no answer?

Could the answer lie with one small word—skittering—like that hermit crab? If I came apart from every distraction and gave my total attention to the Lord God, diligently sought Him, put everything else aside, then perhaps God would move in the lives of my family, my friends, my life, and this nation.

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WARNING SIGNALS

April 15, 2012 by dianegates

It was early and I was late—as usual.

I grabbed the box of supplies for my monthly writer’s critique meeting off the kitchen table and raced for the back door. A beeping noise invaded the quiet of the morning hours. What was it? I didn’t have time for interruptions. The troublesome sound stopped so I dismissed it and hurried out the back door. I threw everything in the car and slammed the door shut, revved the engine, and backed out of the drive-way.

I had thirty minutes to complete a forty-five minute trip. No margins. Just drive with a purpose—get there.

We live twenty-five miles outside of the city so I could make up time on the country highways—I hoped. It was early on Saturday morning. No traffic and no police—I hoped. I could be on time—I hoped. Things were going well when that pesky beeping sound filled the car.

Where did it come from this time? I checked my cell phone. Nope. Wasn’t the phone.

I punched all the digital instruments on the dashboard. Nothing. The beeping continued. I was alarmed. The car had a lot of miles and a history. It was a desolate stretch of road. What should I do? Pull to the side of the road? Wake my husband and call for help? Any of the above could be dangerous and cause me to miss the meeting. I threw caution aside and decided to go for the meeting.

The beeping stopped. I sighed with relief, then a few moments later realized it was the automatic timers stuffed into my supply box announcing their time limit warning.

I had run right through the first beeping sounds in the kitchen. Had I heeded those warnings and identified the source, it would have solved the problem.

How many times have I run through God’s warning signals in my life? How many trips to God’s woodshed could I have avoided, and how many unnecessary life detours have I taken that God warned me about as I blasted through His stop signs?

Perhaps if I left margins in everyday life—a safety margin of time that allowed for adjustments to the unexpected—then I would take the time to stop and listen. No, I think the problem rests with my pride. The subtle sin of believing, I can handle everything—I’ve got it under control. The sin of believing what I’m doing is so important that I must fill every moment of every day to capacity, giving God the left-overs. The sin of believing that what I’m about is so important that I don’t have a moment to spare.

Failure to start my day sitting before the Lord God, seeking His understanding, receiving His instructions, and asking for His wisdom places me in the precarious position of believing a lie. Fooling myself with the untruth that I am in control of  everything and don’t need His guidance for the day.  I trouble my own trouble.

How about you?  Do you listen when God warns you to stop, slow down, or turn around? Or do you just run faster in order to build momentum to catapult over His warning hurdles?

            “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

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SWIFT TO HEAR . . . .SLOW TO WRATH

April 5, 2012 by dianegates

A week ago, without warning, the cable cut out in our apartment in Longview, Texas. By mid-afternoon service was restored—to every apartment except ours.

I began making phone calls, and each call ratcheted my frustration and my wealth of words several notches. It was as if each customer sales rep read their reply from the same index card, regardless the problem. They didn’t listen. They didn’t help. They didn’t care.

I left for Dallas the next day, expecting the cable to be restored by the time I returned to Longview the following Monday. My husband and I planned to have dinner in front of the television and watch the national basketball championship game. But seven days and six phone calls later—still no cable.

Now I’ve got swift to hear and slow to wrath nailed—but slow to speak? Not so much.

I grabbed the phone and called the past list of service assistance numbers only to receive the message, “a part was missing and they were awaiting it’s arrival.” Now I’m no technical Einstein, but seems to me if a part was missing everyone in the building would have been without service, right? And I told them so. After a plethora of phone calls I connected with a supervisor who promised she would get to the heart of the problem. Two hours later I called her back and the phone message said the number was invalid.

Anger doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Pastor’s Sunday message on the subject of anger flashed through my mind: But now you also, put them all aside: anger, rage, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth (Colossians 3:8 NAS.)

 Still I tried to argue with God. “I only get angry when people don’t do what they ought to do.”

The Spirit answered, “You don’t do what the Word tells you to do.”

Ouch. With the cover ripped off my own sin I cried out to God. “My temper has flared again. God, I’m so sorry. Please extinguish this fire.”

The Spirit’s finger poked my heart. That’s the reason the Bible is called The Water of the Word—use it to douse your malicious, angry words.

Had I spoken, or even thought about the Word of God? Had I sought His help to solve this situation? No. I rehearsed inflammatory words, hateful thoughts, and a plan of action that would fan the flames instead of encourage solutions. I missed the mark. Again.

Late in the afternoon, the supervisor I had spoken with called to say the problem would be fixed within twenty-four hours. Another twenty-four hours? The Spirit reminded me of my earlier confession and God’s faithful forgiveness—I did my best to use words laced with grace.

Through the night fiery darts zoomed into my mind: But they took seven days. Those reps were rude. Their business practices are unacceptable. Then God’s Words of wisdom and understanding spoke to my heart: Turn the other cheek. A gentle answer turns away wrath. Let it go.

It’s my choice now. Satan’s fiery darts? Or God’s wisdom and understanding?

Perhaps I’d better add the rest of that verse—slow to speak—to my short list and not give Satan so much information from my mouth for a frontal assault.

Do you struggle in this area? Or am I the lone-loud-mouthed-hot-head on the planet who must continually flee to the cross of my Lord Jesus to crucify the prideful idol of self?

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19 KJ)

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GOSSIP

March 29, 2012 by dianegates

Ever play the game of  Gossip? Betcha have. Remember the outcome? Laughter. Hilarious chuckles when that last person repeats the translation of what has been whispered from mouth to ear around the circle of participants.

Somewhere between the first and last persons, the words became garbled, distorted, and tangled. The ending words and meaning very different than what was said in the beginning.

Life’s like that. It’s all about our ability to listen, interpret what we hear, and then pass that experience or lesson on to the next person. If we don’t listen well, or misinterpret what we’ve heard or learned, we cause a twist or a distortion in that lesson of life for generations to come.

Last evening my husband Richard and I attended Kirk Cameron’s new movie Monumental. It was a life changing event for the two of us.

Kirk begins by asking many of the questions you and I have asked, “How did we get in this mess and what are we supposed to do about it?” His journey to find answers takes him back to those first Americans—the Pilgrims. Did you know they have real names and faces, recorded in historical writings? They were patriots the likes of which we have never known. He takes us back to England and then Holland to reveal that their message has been distorted somewhere between the 1600’s and 2012.

Richard and I sat mesmerized while an unknown and unexpected history lesson unfolded on the screen. God’s finger probed the depths of my heart and pinpointed the puny nature of my existence and my faith. My lack of fortitude to live with the strength and the conviction exhibited by these founders of America during my appointed time here on earth. I too have lived with a sense of entitlement—because I am an American. A distortion? A deception. Or both?

Then he revealed the little known but timely message chiseled in granite, that the Pilgrims left for each one of us, on a piece of ground in Plymouth, Massachusetts. And no, I’m not talking about Plymouth Rock.

Seven or eight cities in the United States will show this film again this coming week. Plano, Texas, is one of the markets. Richard and I encourage you and your family to set time aside to see this movie. I guarantee you will be forever changed. The name again is Monumental.

 Go online to find the locations and times and I would suggest you order your tickets online before the weekend. Most theaters were sold out for last evenings showing. Visit DemandTheMovie.com for more information.

I’ve whispered the message to you with clarity and accuracy. Now it’s up to you. Will you listen? Will you learn? And then teach this message to future generations? Like the Pilgrims, we have been ordained to live “for such a time as this.”

Posted in A Nation Divided | 1 Comment »

A NATION DIVIDED

March 22, 2012 by dianegates

Walk awhile with me. Enthralled by this crossroad. Entwined in the passion that springs from the heart of God.  Enveloped in His Words that strike a unified cord in our hearts to nourish and encourage us in life’s journey for this moment in time.

 

My husband walks in the door in the evening, punches on the TV and listens to the news—nonstop—6:00 to 10:300. By the time he’s ready to call it a day, I’m ready to mount a siege, write my congressman and strangle most of our leaders. And my husband goes to sleep.

Tonight brought the news that forty-nine people have been shot on the south side of Chicago in the past three days. That’s right—in three days. That’s more than have been killed in Afghanistan in months. One of the victims, a little six year old girl playing in her yard.

How did we get here?

A pastor from the south side of Chicago talked with the commentator and when asked what he thought the solution to this town’s problem was the pastor suggested the problems occurred because those committing these crimes felt hopeless and we, Americans, should send more money, create more programs, and volunteer to help in this war zone. He made no mention of the need for a transformation of the heart that only Jesus can give. Nor did he call their actions what God calls them—an abomination.

God identified the problem centuries ago and the answer is the same today. (Jeremiah 17:9 NKJ)

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?

That’s why Jesus had to die, for my wicked heart and for your wicked heart.

God lists the seven things that are an abomination to Him in Proverbs 6:18 (NKJ):

A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies and one who sows discord among brethren.

America is a nation divided against itself and God says:

            “And if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” Mark   3:24 (NKJ)     

So, is there any way out of this destructive maze?  Yes!

It’s time the body of Christ becomes so appalled at our sins as a nation, that we tremble at the open rebellion in America and the compromise of the Word of God in the church. So appalled that we sit before the Lord God Almighty for a day of mourning for sins that we’ve ignored and grown accustomed to.

Reading the account of Ezra, I’m convicted of the lackadaisical way I come to worship The Lord God. In the past I’ve been stirred up over unrighteousness then dismissed or forgotten the incidents, too busy to even pray about them.

I have pointed my judgmental finger at the White House, Congress, Courts, rogue terrorists and those who refuse to be responsible, law abiding citizens—blaming them for all the troubles and divisiveness in America.  But II Chronicles 7:13-14 (NKJ) points the finger of blame at Church of Jesus Christ.

“If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if  I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Oh Church, we are not connecting the dots. Our land is being devoured by killer tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, riots, disease, collapse of financial markets , unprecedented man-made disasters.  Our money goes into pockets with holes in them because we have stolen from God. Crimes of every descriptions continue unchecked from our city streets up to the highest offices of our government—all consequences of our refusal to call our problems what they are—sin and rebellion to God and His Word.

God either causes catastrophes or they are allowed by His hand in order to call His people to repent and turn away from our religious apathy and turn back to Him (Isaiah 45:5-7 NKJ). We’re instructed to be holy and set apart, living by the principles and precepts of His Holy Word. Ezra’s words call us to set our hearts to study, know, practice, and teach His statutes and ordinances in this land He blessed and gave to our forefathers.

Never in the history of our nation have there been like days.  In God’s providence, each one of us has been placed in this moment “for such a time as this”.  Will you sit appalled with me? Will you join me to study the Word of God and be diligent to allow His Word to change the way we think?

Only after we have heard and responded to the Word of God can we legitimately fall on our knees like Ezra did in Ezra 9:3-4 pleading for His mercy, grace, and restoration—for our relationship with Him, then for our nation.

Will you join me in asking God to send the fresh wind and fire of His Spirit to blow across our hearts and then through the churches in this land, bringing God’s cleansing, healing and restorative power to the Body of Christ.

Posted in DiAne Gates | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments »

THE TOUGH FLOWER IN MY GARDEN

March 16, 2012 by dianegates

Summer before last I purchased a new variety of zinnias, the miniature bushy ones. They bloomed all season in a plethora of colors, draping their smiling faces over the bricks of my backdoor flower bed.

Then winter swooped in. Early and with great gusto. Caught by surprise, I didn’t have the opportunity to pull up the spent annuals and mulch the bed for the coming spring.

To my delight, when spring arrived, the warm soil became home for a new crop of miniature zinnias that needed no help from me. And when the harsh Texas winter was followed by the most severe drought we’d experienced in decades, those tough little plants thrived and bloomed in even greater abundance than the year before.

Now I’m a quick study in the gardening department. I purchased three packages of their larger cousins to frame these border darlings. Those seeds also produced hardy plants with spectacular blossoms in red, purple and yellow, all summer long. While my plumerias and roses, orchids and daisies struggled to maintain life in the 110 plus afternoon heat, the $2.50 packages of zinnia seeds flourished and embellished our landscape with vivid color.

One pleasant fall afternoon, I sat in my yard swing with spent zinnia heads in my lap and removed seeds from each dried blossom. Every flower produced at least fifty or more seeds. What a harvest! Now that I had learned the secret of this tough flower of garden annuals, I envisioned flower beds this summer that would explode into patches of brilliant color.

In Genesis 1:29 God said: “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth. . . ”

I looked at the bags of seeds I’d collected and thanked God for His multiplied provision for the next season’s garden, but asked forgiveness for countless seeds of His goodness I’ve wasted through the years, both in my garden and in my life.

In times of abundance I’ve taken God’s blessings for granted and foolishly squandered the gifts He poured out on me. But when hard times come, and they always do, I’m quick to faint and cry for His help.

I’m prone to revert to a hothouse plant that needs constant care from the elements of life. How about you? Remember God allows difficult situations in our lives in order to develop in us the hardiness and courage to thrive in all conditions. His desire is that like this tough, prolific flower of my garden, we too will produce vivid, colorful blossoms of mercy, love, and joy in every season. Then, like the zinnia, He can multiply the harvest of our lives.

           

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A DREAM

March 8, 2012 by dianegates

Walk awhile with me. Enthralled by this crossroad. Entwined in the passion that springs from the heart of God.  Enveloped in His Words that strike a unified cord in our hearts to nourish and encourage us in life’s journey for this moment in time.

 

A dream. A realistic dream. A dream that remains alive and vivid hours later. A week later. What about you? Ever had such a dream? Did you dismiss it? Miss it? Or forget about it?

In the early hours of last Tuesday morning, I had such a dream. I’ve never put much stock in dreams. But this one—so lifelike, so clear, so intense.

Monday night I went to bed mulling over a problem and the dream opened with me telling two men about my problem. One, a dear friend, the other the pastor of  the church where I grew up—Dr. Homer Lindsay, Sr.

As I finished stating my problem, Dr. Lindsay got up out of his chair, came over, and put his arm around me. He leaned close to my ear and said, “DiAne, you remember Jeremiah 29:11, don’t you?”

I replied, “Yes sir.” And we quoted it in unison, his voice recognizable and intelligible. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”

The dream ended, my eyes flashed open, and a sense of comfort and hope that only God can give wrapped around me and carried me through the morning with a renewed sense of security and joy.

Until four A.M. the following morning when my husband woke me. “DiAne.” He spoke in a voice I’ve come to understand means trouble. “We have a problem. It’s my heart. I want you to drive me to Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas”.

We were in Longview, Texas—two hours away from Dallas and Presbyterian Hospital.

I sprang from the covers and pulled on yesterday’s jeans and a shirt. “O Lord!” my mind raced and my heart quaked. “What’s he thinking? I can’t drive two hours with him. In the car. About to have a heart attack.”

Another thought zipped through my mind. Look at his color. I turned on the light and looked at  his face. His color was good. Warm. Not the pasty gray of a heart attack. Immediately the dream of the previous night flashed across my consciousness and the peace of God took control of my terrified heart and I heard drive him to Presbyterian in Dallas.

We made the drive—in record time. And for the next thirty-six hours the medical staff at Presbyterian Dallas accomplished the necessary tests to confirm that my husband did not and was not having a heart attack. His previous by-passes and stints were unchanged and blood was coursing through his arteries as it should be.

For once in my life I rested in the promise God confirmed to me the night before all this transpired, and reminded Him of that promise during that two hour drive Wednesday morning. I traveled through those thirty-six hours at peace with the knowledge God was in control—not me.

Almost a week has passed and I paused this morning to contemplate how many times I’ve missed or dismissed God’s instructions and warnings. Choosing instead to race ahead of the stresses and strains of life. Always running. Refusing to be still. Neglecting to rest in Him.

My prayer is that I remember. Remember to listen and heed God’s Word and His warnings. Remember that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. And remember God thinks of me. All the time.

“How precious are Thou thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with Thee” (Psalm 139:17-18 NAS).

Posted in A Nation Divided | 12 Comments »

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

February 22, 2012 by dianegates


            This morning brings news that Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani’s execution order may have been issued by Iranian officials. Pastor Youcef has been illegally held in prison in Iran since 2009 for refusing to recant his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. How would you handle this injustice if it were your husband, your father, or yourself?

Our Congress is considering a resolution condemning Iran’s human rights violations and calling for Pastor Youcef’s release.

Whether this is more saber-rattling on the part of Iran or not, it is clear this pastor’s position grows more perilous with each day that passes as does Iran’s  loud threats to Israel and America. Russia also issued a stern warning to Israel today that they better not launch a preemptive attack on Iran.

I read the 70th Psalm today and felt compelled to write asking you to pray this psalm on behalf of Pastor Youcef. The Word of God is powerful for the breaking down of strongholds.

In the course of leading GriefShare I suggest to those grieving, “When you don’t have the words or understanding of what or how to pray – speak the Word back to God. Personalize it and offer God His own words.”

Remember in Acts, Chapter 12, Peter was imprisoned and the church met to pray for his release? God sent His angel to release Peter from jail and he went to the prayer meeting. Those praying for him wouldn’t believe God answered their prayers and wouldn’t let him in. They surmised it was Peter’s angel.

God always answers the prayers of His people. Lest we be smug, thinking it couldn’t happen to us – not here in America. At any given moment we are a breath away from persecution. Is this prophecy being fulfilled? I don’t know. But I know we are called to pray.

Praying this psalm back to God could sound something like this but you pray as God leads you:

“O Lord God, Maker of Heaven and Earth, hurry to deliver Pastor Youcef. Please hurry to help him. Let those be ashamed and humiliated who seek his life. Let them be turned back and dishonored who delight in his hurt.

Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You. And let those who love Your salvation say continually ‘Let God be magnified.’

But Lord,  Pastor Youcef is afflicted and needy today. Please hurry to him, O God. You are his only help and deliverer. Lord, do not delay. Please deliver him.”

May God bless you for your faithfulness to pray.

Posted in A Nation Divided | 6 Comments »

THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE

February 16, 2012 by dianegates

                                   THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE

I flopped down on the couch this morning, my mood as gray and heavy as the stormy sky. This week has been filled with problems—serious, heart-wrenching family problems. I’ve been reading through the Book of Psalms and today was the 66th Psalm which began:

“Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious.  Say to God, “How awesome are Thy works!”

Shouting joyfully to God had not been my plan this morning. My words and thoughts would have been classified—whining and murmuring. I read the psalm over again and, remembering several other psalms, knew this wasn’t a suggestion. My mind shouted all right—How? How can I be joyful about anything today, God? You know my heart is breaking.

But the words on the page didn’t change.

Then my mind asked—Why? Why is this imperative statement repeated over and over throughout the psalms?

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise.”  Psalm 100:4

“O sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done wonderful things.” Psalm 98:1

“Shout for joy to God our strength; shout joyfully to the God of Jacob.” Psalm 81:1

“I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”   Psalm 34:1

That still, small voice in my soul whispered “because to come any other way says, you don’t trust Me.” I sucked a deep breath and heard, “Oh ye of little faith. In all of your sixty-nine-years have I provided for you, protected you, and proven that I am at work in all things in your life? In all of your trials, sorrows, or problems have I ever left you alone?”

I lowered my head, “I’m so sorry, Lord. Yes, You are always faithful. Please forgive me and I will offer You the sacrifice of my praise.”

A bubbling of joy gurgled deep in my soul and shattered the shroud of gloom that had consumed my heart. I reread the words of Psalm 66 and agreed with God that He was indeed an awesome, magnificent, and mighty God. Throughout the morning I sang “What a Mighty God We Serve.” His peace filled my heart because I chose to obey His Word.

The essence of His joy changed my thoughts and feelings all day. Have the problems vanished? No, they haven’t. But in those quiet moments this morning, I gave them to Jesus. They are too heavy for me to bear.

How about you? Are there burdens suffocating your joy? Wringing the last particle of endurance from your spirit? Burdens you need to relinquish to Him? He’s ready to listen and to act when you come  singing the glory of His name. Offering Him the sacrifice of your praise. Trusting His faithfulness to work all things together for your good and His glory, when you belong to Him.

That doesn’t mean all things are good. Joseph spent twenty years in prison. I’m sure those prison bars didn’t seem good. But God was at work. Even when Joseph didn’t see or understand what He was doing.  Read the account of Joseph’s life in Genesis 37-50. And remember, God hasn’t written the final line of your story yet. You can trust Him because He never fails.

Posted in A Nation Divided | 4 Comments »

THE BRONZE SERPENT

February 9, 2012 by dianegates

Snakes. Venomous snakes. Thousands of them. Pulsating. Writhing. Hissing. Surrounding me. Mouths gaping and fangs exposed. Their strikes are imminent. My heart throbs, my breaths shallow and painful. I wait for death.

Until a voice shouts—“Look up and live!”

How would you react? Would you rip your eyes from the disaster swirling at your feet on a chance you’d survive?

That’s exactly what God called His people to do in Numbers 21:1-9. They had complained against Moses and the provision of the manna God provided for them to eat. God sent judgment in the form of fiery serpents and many Israelites died.

The people cried out from the middle of the increasing body count and confessed their sin of  speaking against the Lord and against Moses. They asked Moses to intercede with the Lord to remove the serpents. Moses petitioned and God answered.

However, God didn’t wave His arm and make the serpents vanish. He didn’t tell them to form a committee on snake extermination, nor did He send them to Poison Control for an anti-venom injection. No. He provided a way of escape.

God instructed Moses to make a fiery serpent and place it on a standard in the midst of the people. The Lord said those who were bitten could look to the bronze serpent and live. But each one of them had to choose—accept God’s only provision or reject it.

Noxious deceptions speak against God everyday. We’ve grown accustomed to, even comfortable with the hissing of the serpent’s lies, giving them pet names like “right to choose” or “alternate life style” or “entitlement.” These perversions bare their fangs and inject the poison of duplicity into our families, our churches, and, our children are the ultimate target and their prize.

The issues of today? Snakes that speak against God, as we sit mesmerized by their lies. Our eyes riveted and our minds sedated with fear, unable to discern the eternal consequences of living alongside these thrashing snares.

Have addictions, anger, adultery or any of the long list of the serpent’s lies painted a bulls eye on your backside?

God still offers life. He shouts—“Look to the cross! Trust Jesus to heal you.” But we remain apathetic and prideful, listening to the whispers of dissimulation rather than looking to and choosing the only way—God’s mercy and grace—paid for by the blood of The Lamb.

The power to break sin’s evil, hypnotic stranglehold comes through the blood of Jesus and the Word of God. That power is given again and again when I repent and consider the legacy I am leaving to my children and return to walk in obedience to the Word.

I must seek God’s truth. I must know His truth. I must love His truth. And I must be so rooted and grounded in the Word of God that at the first ping of evil, a dissonant chord will chime in my heart and I will make the choice to agree with and obey Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord.

 

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; that whoever believes may in Him have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did  not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.” (John 3:14-17 NAS).

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