Poisonous snakes....the end

Who is this God?

That's really the question that trips us up.  Who is this God who sends poisonous snakes into the midst of God's people, knowing folks will get bit and die?  Who is this God who does stuff we don't understand?

Unpredictable?  By many definitions.

Uncontrollable?  Definitely.

Will punish the offender?  There is some evidence of that.

At our beck and call?  Well, that tends to depend on what we are trying to get from God.

Will always make things work out the way I want them?  Oh no.  Not at all.  That is for certain.

Calls us to follow where God is leading?  Yes.

Is able to bring new life out of death? Well, that's the crux of it isn't it?

Is life in God's hands....as creator and possibly as destroyer?  Does God work towards good for humankind in general?  What about me in particular?  Is God in charge?

I would answer those questions with a Yes.  I believe in this God, the love God has for all that God has created, and the ultimate good which will ensue at God's hands.  This is a necessary component of trusting this God in the middle of the darkness, the pain, the sorrow, and the terror.

I'm not sure about the poisonous snake episode but then there are so many things I am not sure about.  In the end, I trust the God who is author of it all.  In this God I find strength and purpose and guidance.  This God calls out of me more grace, forgiveness, and peace than I would or could ever manage on my own.  This God not only calls me 'beloved' I actually feel like a beloved.

Perhaps this answer is terribly disappointing.  After reading 4 days of posts you were hoping for something more profound.

It is just that there isn't anything more profound than God for me, even in the midst of poisonous snakes.

PS  The picture has nothing to do with God except that God makes such wonderfully adorable creatures and who doesn't like a puppy?