Today’s devotional as part of the Allegheny Ridge Covenant of Churches (ARCC) focuses on Numbers 21:4-9 and has been contributed by Debbie Winsor. We pray this devotional speaks to your heart.
Devotionals By Us For Us
Day 9 of Lent – March 2, 2026
A Familiar Story
Devotional by Debbie Winsor
Read Numbers 21:4-9
It’s a familiar story. Moses is leading the people of Israel out of Egypt. I’m not sure what they expected or how long they thought the journey would be, but it didn’t take long before they became tired and angry. This isn’t what they expected when they left Egypt. They became angry with God. Why would he bring them out of Egypt to suffer and die in the wilderness.
So God, tired of their complaining, sent poisonous serpents that brought death to those bitten.
The people knew they’d sinned and feared God. They went to Moses, asking him to pray for God to remove the serpents. Moses prayed for the people. God, however, didn’t remove the serpents. Instead, he told Moses to make a bronze serpent and place it on a pole; instructing the people that if they were bitten to look at the serpent and they would live. An act of faith.
A reminder that God doesn’t always remove obstacles from our life. Things don’t always happen the way that we want. Sin is all around us and bad things will happen. But God will provide a way if we keep our eyes on him.
Just as the Israelites looked up at the bronze serpent and trusted they would be healed, we also look up to the cross and the words of Jesus in John 3:14-15. “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.”
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, Forgive me when doubts and insecurities creep in. Help me trust in your plan and lean into the strength you provide me. Thank you for your mercy and the healing, saving power of the cross. Amen
Thoughts from the Edges 
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