FWD: Morning Manna (Jan. 6); BP: Num. 21:7-9; RBTTY: Mt. 5:27-48; Gen.

 
Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net

 

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-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Sat, 5 Jan 2008 14:13:15 -0600
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (Jan. 6); BP: Num. 21:7-9; RBTTY: Mt. 5:27-48; Gen.
 
January 6                                                                                               "Look and Live"  
"And the Lord said unto Moses, ‘Make a fiery serpent and set it upon a pole—and it shall come to pass that everyone that is bitten, when he looks upon it, shall live’."
                                                                                                                                            Numbers 21:8
      It only takes one—but it will last for all eternity.
     The eye is a wonderful instrument of our Lord’s creation. Although small in comparison to other organs of the body, this round orb is able to see far and near. . . focusing perfectly. . .able to discern an array of beautiful colors, etc., if not affected by disease or damage.
 
     However, as we all know, the optic nerve of the "eye of the soul" runs straight to the heart—for God’s Word says "as a man thinks in his heart, so is he" (Prov. 23:7). Solomon also wrote, "Keep your heart with all diligence—for out of it are the issues of life, i.e., the important things of life" (Prov. 4:23).
 
     Although today’s Manna is not dealing directly with these truths, in reality it is. The Lord God knew that looking upon a molten, copper- or bronze-colored serpent had no healing power in-and-of itself. However, it was the people’s "look of faith" that would save them from certain death because of the serpent’s chastening bite (v.9).
 
     Oh, dear Pilgrim, the same is true today. That’s why Jesus referred to this incident when talking with Nicodemus, referring to the time later on when He Himself would be "lifted up high upon a Cross" (Jn. 3:14; cf. 8:28; 19:18). Again, it wasn’t the wooden Cross that saves, although we esteem it by placing it on top of steeples or wearing one around our necks.
 
     No, it’s the Christ on the Cross that saves—and it’s the "look of faith" that releases the Blood’s power to redeem. Thus, it’s this first look. . .the "look of faith" that saves... and it’s our "lingering look" (Heb. 12:2) that transforms. Hallelujah!!
 
     That’s why it’s important that we always remember the lyrics of the child’s song from years ago: "Oh, be careful little eyes what you see. Oh, be careful little eyes what you see. For the Father up above is looking down in love, oh, be careful little eyes what you see."
Upon what or whom are you looking today, Pilgrim?
 
      Remember: The "lust of the eyes" (I Jn. 2:16) is an integral part of our Adamic nature. It was Adam and Eve’s "lingering look" upon the forbidden fruit that led to their downfall (Gen. 3:6a). It was David’s "lingering look" upon Bathsheba while she bathed that caused him to commit adultery in his heart before he called her to his bed (II Sam. 11:2-5). And, it was the Israelites’ later looking unto the bronze serpent itself for salvation that led Hezekiah to destroy the image at God’s command (II Kings 18:4).
 
     How easy it is to spend more time focusing upon our own sinfulness, the world’s condition, others’ failures, etc., than it is the Savior. May the Holy Spirit help us today to "look unto Jesus" (Heb. 12:2a)—and keep on looking—for that is what transforms.