Death, Slavery...or Faith

Numbers 20:2-5 (NLT)
2 There was no water for the people to drink at that place, so they rebelled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The people blamed Moses and said, “If only we had died in the Lord’s presence with our brothers! 4 Why have you brought the congregation of the Lord’s people into this wilderness to die, along with all our livestock? 5 Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us here to this terrible place? This land has no grain, no figs, no grapes, no pomegranates, and no water to drink!”

The children of Israel get a bad rap from us Christians. Hindsight is 20/20. It’s so easy to see all that God has done and wonder why they didn’t get it and just trust Him. They had the plagues to set them free, they got a fireworks show at the foot of the mountain and Moses shined like a glow worm. Yet they reached a place with no water and seemingly forgot all God had done. Had He deserted them? Of course not, but the children of Israel were so caught up in their immediate problem that it seemed bigger than God.

Yes, water is vital for survival. This was a perfectly valid concern. Their response however was not warranted. The lack of water caused the people to long for death in a previous plague or to wish for slavery again. After all God did for them, plague death or slavery with fruit seemed to be better options than trusting God. The lack of water caused panic and the people took their eyes off of God and put them on the issue at hand. God had a miracle in store for them but they could only see humanly solutions: death or slavery.

Fast forward a couple thousand years. I have the benefit of the entire Bible, all of church history and miracles from my own life. Yet I grumble and complain. I look back to the state of slavery to sin and sometimes even wish for death. Like the children of Israel, I’m human and when confronted with life’s problems I look to human solutions. What’s the lesser of two evils? What can I do in my own power? After that usually comes a time of hopelessness and despair. Then I come to myself and realize I serve a God whose thoughts and ways are higher than mine. God always has a planned destination for me but I get sidetracked and mired in the wilderness of my humanity.

Sadly, I’m not alone in my response to problems. Let’s learn from the Children of Israel. Instead of reacting in fear, let’s commit to act in faith. When valid problems seek to grab our attention, let’s focus on the One who has miracles in His plan. Slavery and death should never be viable options. God is our option. God is my option and that’s my final answer.

~Linda D. Sothern