Numbers‬ ‭21:8‬ ‭GNB‬‬ | “Then the LORD told Moses to make a metal snake and put it on a pole, so that anyone who was bitten could look at it and be healed.”

I can only imagine the children of Isreal writhing in pain as a result of the snake bites. I’m also thinking there was no serious pain relief at the time to reduce the pain they experienced.

But, instead of the Lord telling Moses to tell them sorry and give comforting hugs, He instructed that they look up to the molten image and be healed.

We see this pattern in Genesis 15:1-4. God was trying to have a mature conversation with Abraham; promising him that HE is his great reward. However, Abraham was so fixated on not having a son, that he basically threw God’s offer back at Him and asked what that would do since he had no son.

Again, the Lord in His mercy and kindness shifts Abraham’s gaze away from the problem to His Word and promises.

Genesis‬ ‭15:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬ | “He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.””

We can choose to ignore the pattern of God or embrace them fully.

When you have something bothering you or a difficult challenge, what do you do?

Nag, complain or generally be a pain to be around. Or, do you look up to the Lord for lasting solutions?

It’s a choice we need to make today and always. Abraham made the choice to believe when presented with two options and it was counted to him as righteousness.

May the Holy Spirit help and strengthen us to choose and follow His way and pattern in Jesus name!