Suggested Readings: Psalm 105:1-42, Numbers 14:10b-24, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
As we journey toward Easter, what are the stories we tell of our life with God? What gives us strength through these days of Lent, and we move ever closer to the darkness of Holy Friday? How do we walk toward darkness with the belief that light and resurrection awaits?
Our scriptures for today remind us of the struggle the people of God have faced over the ages remembering what God has done for them while they face the challenges and difficulties of everyday life. Their story waits for us in scripture as more than a cautionary tale for it stands as witness to how easily we can forget the times God has walked with us.
Psalm 105 recounts the faithfulness of God from the call of Abraham and how he protected the small group they were initially, his providence for them in the land of Egypt when one of their own had risen to prominence, and then the deliverance from Egypt through the wilderness to the land of Canaan. All of this summarized so eloquently, “So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing.” (Psalms 105:43, NRSVue)
Our text in Numbers regretfully shows how readily we forget the joy and singing and the providence of God, unable to lift our eyes toward the horizon because of our fear and self-pity. Numbers 14 begins with the people of God complaining and whining about God’s perceived failure to meet their expectations. God has had enough, and it takes Moses pleading with God to give them another chance for God to hold back God’s wrath.
Paul points to this chapter in the history of the people of God as an example from which we might all learn. He writes, “Don’t be like that!” He reminds them:
No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.
This Lenten path challenges us. When darkness closes in around us, we are prone to look for relief among inappropriate places and doubt God’s care for us. We can learn from scripture and remember God knows when to come to our aid (2 Pet. 2.9).
The journey toward the resurrection of Easter always has surprising pitfalls, subtle dangers, unforeseen challenges, and unexpected risks. We must keep our eyes focused on the horizon, up where God already awaits us on Easter morning.
Darrell Gwaltney
Darrell Gwaltney
