Image from newcastlebeach.org
Hear the devotional right here: http://bit.ly/3vd7Qdg
4 From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient on the way. 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food." 6 Then the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. 7 And the people came to Moses, and said, "We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and every one who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live." 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent, and set it on a pole; and if a serpent bit any man, he would look at the bronze serpent and live. (Numbers 21:4-9 RSV)
A blessed and joyous Wednesday, dear ConCafe Family. And may God's mercies bless you in your Lenten Journey, Dear Reader. I do not have any updates on Office Elijah Neely, and Gina and Nellie are holding their own. Please continue to pray for these and others as God leads you. Pray for yourselves and pray for one another.
Did you travel by car a lot? We had few vacations. I vividly remember some trips to San Antonio as our vacation spot, and one year we went to Monterrey, Mexico, and the big and final family vacation was in June 1972 to Orlando for the first summer that Walt Disney World was open. This coming October is the start of the 50th Anniversary of that event, and our daughter Carli surprised us with a trip in November! Nellie and I are very excited, but more details on that later! I do not remember any of my siblings or me asking, "Are we there yet?" With our girls, there may have been some to have uttered those words. And for sure, I believe my grandkids have been known to ask that repeatedly. It's painful while living it, but humorous years later, and a bit of a comedy routine now for those who can look back. And while studying the Exodus, some of the scenes, like the passage for today, the Israelites cry various things that come very close to being, "Are we there yet?" And worse, "Why are we on this trip anyway?" The distance covered would not normally take 40 years. Yet we forget that this was a journey of formation more than just a point A to point B trip. And their gripes, while justified (maybe), border on the annoying. Impatience is what it is. Frustration is another aspect. "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food." Ouch. They could not see the forest for the trees! They missed the point of God's role and intention for these whom God had called out of bondage and forced labor, to a new nation in which they would rule. And, as we have read, it did annoy God to the point of God sending "fiery serpents" which bit the people and killed some. That was enough to get the survivors to cry out to God in confession. Moses prays on behalf and God tells Moses to make a replica of a serpent and to set it on a pole, and as people got bitten, if they would look to this pole, they would survive the snake bite. And that's what happened.
The above graphic shows what we now associate that pole with today; the Cross. Both present life even in the face of certain death. Yes, especially after our personal rebellion and outcry of complaints towards God and God's plan for our lives. We have had those moments when we lose sight of the big picture and so we complain or panic thinking all is lost, and while we blame God for our being where we perceive where we are. And even ministers are not exempt from this...and that's all I'm saying. For now. Our God is a God of life, liberation, transformation, and victory. Our journey thus far this Lenten season should have shown us this. Whatever it may be that you are facing, especially uncertain things about your future, trust in God and share that with God in prayer. Which brings us to the adage, "We don't know what tomorrow holds, but we know Who holds tomorrow." The answer is God.
PRAYER: Loving Father, as we so naturally worry about so much, let us share that worry with You. You who hold tomorrow, please hold us, and forgive us our anxiety. Bless those who join us in worry and lead us into the formation to which You are calling us. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Help point out life to those who see only death!
Receive my blessings of joy and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
