“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 17:7)
As I look back three years ago at the devotions I wrote for this blog in the early days of the pandemic lockdown, I note that I asked the question that was on the minds of millions at that time: Where is God in this time of great need and chaos? I (and probably many others) still wonder why God allowed COVID to afflict hundreds of millions of people (myself included) and take the lives of almost seven million worldwide.
Yet God was there with us in the midst of our suffering and fear. He held our hands so we might come to Him and receive His strength, support, and love. He held the hands of all who called out to Him, even escorting many to heaven. He provided knowledge and wisdom to scientists and medical professionals so they would develop appropriate means of care as well as vaccines and medications. And still many today do not see the hand of God in their suffering and grief. And though many have come to faith in Christ in these 3 years, most have not. This is evidenced by the widespread and increased violence, rioting, and disrespect we have seen manifested in these same 3 years.
From our reading in the book of Exodus we note that the Israelites wandering in the wilderness complained about their suffering and deprivation. They had a hard time trusting God. Apparently they had learned little or nothing from their experiences. They had seen God work miracles: the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, the destruction of Pharaoh’s army, the provision of manna that satisfied their hunger. Yet they thought the Lord had now abandoned them. They did not think He would or could provide water. Surely they should have known that God knew their needs and would provide for them as He had in the past. Moses at least that knew the Lord would supply the need.
We are imperfect human beings. We all tend to complain about our lives, our needs, our suffering, and pain. We Christians complain to God when life gets so difficult that we think He has either forgotten us or that He is angry. Some people even abandon Him all together, and that we have seen as well over the last 3 years. Many got out of the habit of church attendance as churches were forced to lock down. Then many these abandoned church altogether, some out of continued fear, and others out of disillusionment. They, like the children of Israel failed to trust God.
As we look back and reflect on how God has sustained us, we can meditate on the great works He has done as revealed in Jesus our Lord, in His Word and in His Church. We find there the antidote to all our ills: faith that assures us that the Lord is ever with His children. We see His hand of mercy and strength in the liturgy of Word and sacrament which remind us that He will not forsake those He has redeemed.