"Chariots and Horses?"

I love this verse:

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.  Psalm 20:7

In the Old Testament, during the times of the kings, people trusted in their nation's military strength and power.  And chariots and horses were "state-of-the-art" military equipment. 

These days, our "chariots and horses" are:
- comfort and health
- money and success
- relationships and popularity
- entertainment and leisure

As this virus has progressed, and people are wandering what to make of it, I keep thinking about plagues and where we put our trust.

Most people are aware of the ten plagues that happened in Egypt during the time of Moses.  But there's also an incident recorded in Numbers.  

In this account, the Israelites have been living in the wilderness for many years, and all this time the Lord has provided for them.  But they forget His provision and start complaining about having no food and no water.  And the Lord sends...

fiery serpents among the people, and they [bite] the people, so that many people of Israel died.  Numbers 21:6

But it's what happens next that's significant.  The Lord tells Moses to make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole.  When anyone who was bitten looked at the bronze serpent, he would live.

Now I don't know the reasons behind what's happening in the world today and I wouldn't dare to speculate.  But I do know where to look and what to trust, or rather Whom to trust.

About Himself, Jesus said:

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.  John 3:14–15

In the midst of this uncertain life, and life is definitely uncertain these days, it's the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus that's absolute, undeniable, and the one thing to trust.  Look to the crucified and risen Christ.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.  John 16:33