“Of the people of Judah, their generations, by their clans, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war: those listed of the tribe of Judah were 74,600.” Numbers 1:26-27

“There is much discussion concerning what seems to be an increasing restlessness among people. This restlessness takes many forms. Sometimes it appears in easy irritation over matters of little or no consequence. Sometimes it results in the sudden rupturing of old ties of family, job and friends. It may be a general instability making for an unwillingness to assume responsibilities and to fulfill obligations. In its simplest and often most crucial form, it makes concentration on anything difficult because of an apparent futility. One of the reasons for this restlessness is not far to seek. During the past decade, the world has gone through a series of tremendous social upheavals, upsetting the equilibrium of the daily lives of millions of people everywhere. What has happened in Russia, Europe, Asia, the Orient and the United States has been more than the mind could adjust to without leaving in its wake a residue of impending uncertainty and, perhaps, even doom. In addition, there is upsetting of the balance in nature, whose children we are, by the far-reaching effects of atomic research and developments. This development has undoubtedly communicated to the physical organism a subtle unbalance creating overtones of ill-at-easeness in the mind and in the consequent behavior of us all.” (Howard Thurman. Deep Is the Hunger . Ravenio Books. Kindle Edition.)

When I take a walk in my neighborhood, I try to count my steps as I move along on the sidewalk. Why? Well, through the process of counting, not only does the time seem to slip by a little quicker, but I find that I can accurately determine the half-way point of my walk – just by counting the steps. It is a tedious process, but I find it helps me get to the end.

Another area of our lives that can benefit from counting is our faith journey. When was the last time you took a few days and counted your blessings – each and every moment of each and every day? Not possible? Think about the census taken of the Israelites – a census of the people as directed by G-d. How long would this “accounting” have taken? Think about the counting process that is currently happening (as I write this devotion) for the 2020 Presidential Election – which continues without a clear winner.

Taking an accurate count is so important in many areas of our lives: balancing our checkbooks, having enough bulletins for worship, even counting the number of votes for a candidate. Through counting we ensure that all is right: with our bank account, with our worship materials, and with our elections.

G-d directed Moses to take a count of the people while they were in the wilderness no matter how long it might take them. Through taking a count, G-d would ensure that all the people were accounted for and taken care of.

Now don’t you think G-d would want you and I to take a “count” of our blessings often? You do not know what you have until you take an accounting. And if we count our blessings, well it just may help us get to the end of each day, and the end of our most pressing concerns. Remember my friends, anything is possible with G-d.

Pastor Dave

“On that day, when evening had come, Jesus said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, the disciples took Jesus with them in the boat, just as he was. A great storm of wind arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him and said to him, “Teacher do you not care if we perish?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea “Peace! Be still!” He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” Mark 4:35-41

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own wisdom. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

“Once there was a young warrior. Her teacher told her that she had to do battle with fear. She didn’t want to do that. It seemed too aggressive; it was scary; it seemed unfriendly. But the teacher said she had to do it and gave her the instructions for the battle. The day arrived. The student warrior stood on one side, and fear stood on the other. The warrior was feeling very small, and fear was looking big and wrathful. They both had their weapons. The young warrior roused herself and went toward fear, prostrated three times, and asked, “May I have permission to go into battle with you?” Fear said, “Thank you for showing me so much respect that you ask permission.” Then the young warrior said, “How can I defeat you?” Fear replied, “My weapons are that I talk fast, and I get very close to your face. Then you get completely unnerved, and you do whatever I say. If you don’t do what I tell you, I have no power. You can listen to me, and you can have respect for me. You can even be convinced by me. But if you don’t do what I say, I have no power.” In that way, the student warrior learned how to defeat fear.” (Pema Chodron. When Things Fall Apart” p. 47. Shambhala. Kindle Edition.)

Can we even conceive in our minds that Jesus put the disciples into a situation of potential disaster — and left them to see how they might handle their own fear? Jesus did not steer them away from the storm but allowed them to row right into it — and after seeing their fear, Jesus stilled the storm. What can we learn?

One of the lessons we can take from this text is the fact that we will never learn how to navigate through our own fear, or our own storms unless we find ourselves facing down fear. The story told by Pema has the character of Fear telling the student “You can even be convinced by me (fear). But if you don’t do what I say, I have no power.”

There is no possible way to live life without encountering fear, or trials or tribulations. The people who are never forced to fight through fear miss the opportunity to learn about their perseverance, their faith, and their readiness for survival. As such, they never learn how to face down their own fears. Facing our fears takes real perseverance, but we do not have to do it alone.

Remember, there are some situations where Jesus will guide and direct us even before we realize that there was anything to fear. But there will be some storms in life that the only way out will be through the rough waters. But every storm we weather with Jesus means a stronger back, a greater will, and a more durable trust and faith.

Pastor Dave