Trust and Faith

There’s something all too familiar about this latest chapter of the saga of the Israelites’ journey from captivity in Egypt to the Promised Land. Each time there has been a setback or problem, the Israelites have responded by grousing about the food and accusing Moses and God of maltreating and abusing them. Predictably, God has punished the people, and they, in turn, have begged for forgiveness and relief.

God’s response to this latest round of complaining is both dramatic and deadly. The plague of venomous snakes that God unleashes on the Israelites is convincing. Perhaps remembering the part another snake had played in their history, the people are quick to repent. They ask Moses to intercede with God on their behalf.

To save themselves and be able to continue on their journey to the Promised Land, the chosen people had to trust God enough to believe that looking at a bronze serpent on a stake would be the antidote for the venom within them. It makes one wonder how many of the Israelites had the faith to do that. What about us? Is our faith that strong?

Lord, grant us the faith to trust in you from the beginning of life's journey to the end. Amen. — CKA