Is The Lord Among Us?

THEY TESTED THE LORD SAYING "IS THE LORD AMONG US OR NOT?" Exodus 17.7.

How foolish and shortsighted the Israelites were to doubt their God and ask a silly question like “Is the Lord among us or not?” Of course, they were in a dire predicament. They were thirsty because there was no water in the desert, even to quench their thirst. Worse still, their little ones were crying out for water! True, they exaggerated their situation a little when they grumbled to Moses saying, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?"

You may ask how the Israelites could have forgotten the presence and power of their God in such a short time? It was just the other day, their God divided the great Red Sea and turned its depths into dry land for them to pass through. He saved them from the pursuing Pharaoh and his mighty men. They also witnessed the destruction of Egypt’s army and chariots and horses by the pounding waters of the Red Sea that closed on them at the Lord’s command. Now all they needed was a small stream in the desert! Couldn’t they have trusted in the Lord who had done all those marvellous things for them since the day He got them out of the cruel hands of the Pharaoh of Egypt?

Often times, you find yourself in the shoes of the disbelieving and grumbling Israelites. A little trouble comes and you forget all the great things the Lord has miraculously done for you in the past. Like the Israelites, you too begin to grumble against the Lord. Worse still, you begin to voice your doubts and disbelief in God. You may not be asking, “Is the LORD among us or not?" but you question, “Where is the Lord when I need Him?”

Was the Lord not with the Israelites? Yes! He was, always! The Lord never left them even for a moment, though they sinned against Him and provoked Him to anger many a time in the wilderness. They hadn’t learned to trust in the Lord enough to trust Him in all circumstances. They trusted Him when He was there to provide their every need. When there was a moment of delay or events did not turn out as they expected, they distrusted their God and turned their back on Him.

Is that what you too do? Don’t be like the faithless Israelites! Believe that the Lord is with you always for He promised, “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Mt 28.20). Trust Him for the great and miraculous things He has done for you and your family in the past. Recount the times the Lord has healed you; the occasions when He has delivered you from difficult circumstances; and the good things He has blessed you with all your life. Remember them and continue trusting in His goodness, whatever the present or future may bring.

Hear the words of the Lord, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did at ( the waters of ) Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried me, though they had seen what I did” (Psa 96.7-9).

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, I hear Your voice. Let Your Holy Spirit help me not to harden my heart when trials come or doubt Your presence or Your power to deliver me or sustain me through. Amen.