Two Strikes, You’re Out

Numbers 20:1-13

When you think of all the things that Moses and Aaron might have done, the sins they might have committed, our reading from Numbers today seems almost silly. “Then Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff; water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their livestock drank. But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not trust in me, to show my holiness before the eyes of the Israelites, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them’” (Numbers 20:11-12). This may seem especially severe when this account is set against the backdrop of the grumbling and complaining that the people of Israel have been doing all this time. Moses and Aaron have stood between God and the people on numerous occasions. The Israelites are the ones who have rebelled. Why must Moses and Aaron pay such a steep price for tapping a rock instead of letting God do the honors?

The key lies in the human desire to take control of things while not trusting God to be God. Moses essentially usurped the authority of God and placed himself front and center in the minds of the people. Moses, as a servant of the Lord, should have allowed God to work as God willed. Furthermore, this is no minor situation. Water is the most essential aspect of life, even more important than food. Water is also pivotal in the faith of Israel and later of Christianity. It was out of the waters of chaos that God formed creation, over the waters of the flood that Noah and his family sailed, and through the waters of the Red Sea that the people escaped from Egypt. Whenever water is mentioned in scripture we should pause and reflect on the significance because it is bound to be important. This event is no exception. Moses jumped the gun when he decided to strike the rock and free its water but this was God’s moment and Moses stole the spotlight.

We must let God be God, even if it takes more patience than we think we have, even if it takes greater resolve than we care to display, even if we don’t understand or fully appreciate what is going on. It is the Lord who creates, redeems, and sustains all that is. God can certainly handle whatever it is that lies before us.

Prayer: Lord, give us the patience, the courage, and the confidence to let you carry out your will in our midst, always mindful of your providence and love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What, Me Worry?

Matthew 6:25-34

If I didn’t know better I might think that Jesus was talking directly to the people of Israel as they made their way along the path of the Exodus. “Therefore,” he says, “do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’” (Matthew 6:31). Food and water, of course, were major points of contention between the people and God, with Moses caught right in the middle. Ultimately God provided manna and quails as food for the people (Exodus 16:13-15), and water from the rock at Massah (17:5-7). Did the people of God not learn from this experience to trust God for all of their needs? Jesus seems to think not.

For decades the character Alfred E. Newman has graced the pages of Mad Magazine along with his personal slogan, “What, me worry?” Is it possible that Newman has caught the meaning of Jesus’ words? Is it possible that we, too, should adopt a “what, me worry?” attitude in life? Certainly, as far as our trust in God is concerned we must learn to rely on our Creator by whose hand we are continually guided and cared for. If we have learned anything from our history it should be that God is with us and is ready to offer what we need. Jesus’ advice is to quit asking, “What will eat or drink?” and to start affirming, “What, us worry?”

Prayer: Lord help us to give up our worrying about the future and to trust you to provide for us as you have provided for your people all along. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

When I Need a Drink

Isaiah 12:1-6

Water is essential to life. We know that. The development of civilization has often been guided by the presence or the lack of water in a particular region. Even today, as technologically advanced as we are, water continues to be a concern around the globe.

Isaiah does not refute that, but the prophet would like to remind us that salvation is as important to human life as water. “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation,” he writes (Isaiah 12:3). This promise stands over and against the plight of God’s people at a time when they were faced with exile and the loss of identity because of their transgressions. They might have the water necessary to live, but would they ever again have what was necessary to restore their life as a faith community? Someday, the prophet assures them, you will have that opportunity once more. And with joy you will find God’s grace as abundant as the water in your wells.

There are days when I forget to drink enough water, and I feel run down, achy even. Once I’ve hydrated, however, I feel much better. There are also days when I feel spiritually drained, when my faith seems run down. Those are the days when I most need the reminder of God’s salvation, when I need to drink most deeply from the resources that guide my faith. Maybe you feel the same way. I don’t use a well for my water, not directly. But in times of doubt I can return to scripture, to prayer, to worship, to my faith community, to those around me who love and support me and with joy find what I need to continue living as a child of God. Isaiah’s promise has been kept. The wells of salvation are all around us. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord, continue to lead us by still waters and to the wells of salvation that we may drink deeply and find the strength we need to live by your will. Amen.