The Weekend Word

“All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink.Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?”But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?”So Moses cried to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.”And the Lord said to Moses, “Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go.Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”” (Exodus 17:1–7 ESV)

“Is the Lord among us or not?”

That is the question for today isn’t it?

In the face of all the uncertainty and fear surrounding the coronavirus, that is the first question we must consider.

Our Lord was angry with the people of Israel for both doubting Him and the “quarrels” that ensued because of their doubt.

He had shown Himself both present and faithful through their exodus from the bondage of Egypt, but when the crisis came they were ready to drop their faith and stone their leaders.

Do not be hasty to condemn them…the crisis was real.

If you have no water in the desert, your life expectancy can be measured in hours.

Still, the Lords expectation was that they would walk in faith and walk together in unity as God’s people.

They would ask God for the provision needed and He would provide as He had always done.

He was visibly among them…the cloud by day and the fire by night.

It wasn’t enough to sustain their faith.

Because the Lord is good and merciful, He provided for them anyway.

As we face our own crisis today, let us consider the question again.

“Is the Lord among us or not?”

Yes, He is.

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.””(Deuteronomy 31:7–8 ESV)

“Let brotherly love continue.Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?””(Hebrews 13:1–6 ESV)

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” (Matthew 28:20 ESV)

“Is the Lord among us or not?”

Yes, He is.

How then shall we live?

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 4:4–7 ESV)

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

(1 Peter 5:6–11 ESV)

“Is the Lord among us or not?”

Yes, He is.

Let us walk in faith and unity in the Spirit…believing in the goodness and mercy of God toward even fearful, doubting, rebels like us.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”(Numbers 6:24–26 ESV)