March 14: Of Difficult Journeys - Around Edom, Unmarried Pregnancy, and Coronavirus

Numbers 21:1-22:20

Luke 1:26-56

Psalm 57:1-11

Proverbs 11:9-11

Today's readings are pretty amazing in the context of the global pandemic, and the physical, mental, emotional and economic suffering it is causing.  Where to begin?  

God is more than doctor, He has dominion over our biology.  He not only made Mary pregnant with Jesus, He prepared her body as a suitable vessel for the perfection of His son.  His dominion over our biology is so complete that while a patient might normally have to ingest medicine to have it take effect, God is able to transmit healing visually, curing people simply by having them look at a bronze snake.  Think about that for a second.  

God is a victor, even amidst defeat.  Israel had lost the battle to the king of Arad, who captured some of them.  Yet God helped them overcome and completely destroy a more powerful enemy.  We read that today more than once when God does the same thing against Sihon, the Amorites, and Bashan.  Think about that for a second. 

God is protector, even when we don't know it.  The Israelites knew nothing of the preparations Balak of Moab was making to fight them, but God knew - and He protected Israel even from Balak's preparations, preventing Balaam from cursing Israel.  Think about that for a second. 

This is the God we serve, the God in Whom we profess to have faith.  What's interesting about faith is it isn't manifest when times are easy and things are going our way.  Like character and fitness, it is built in adversity and strain.  It is built in times like today. 

In the readings, we have the example of two responses:  that of the Israelites, who in the hardship of their journey "spoke against God and against Moses", or that of Mary who, when faced with the prospect of death for an unmarried pregnancy, declared "I am the Lord's servant".  May we choose wisely, taking confidence in our ability to pray as the psalmist does today: "I cry out to God Most High, to God who vindicates me.  He sends from heaven and saves me."  Like the psalmist, may we be able to say despite our circumstances "My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast.  I will sing and make music."