Tag Archives: Courage

The ability to believe and trust in our faith when doubt is asailing us.

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on October 26, 2015
Tags: Courage, , ,   

Wrestling With G*d — Rev. David J. Schreffler

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October 26, 2015

“The rabble among them had a strong craving; and the Israelites also wept again, and said, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we used to eat in Egypt for nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at. Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, all at the entrances of their tents. Then the Lord became very angry, and Moses was displeased. So Moses said to the Lord, “Why have you treated your servant so badly? Why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me? Did I conceive all this people? Did I give birth to them, that you should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a sucking child,’ to the land that you promised on oath to their ancestors? Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they come weeping to me and say, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ I am not able to carry all this people alone, for they are too heavy for me. If this is the way you are going to treat me, put me to death at once—if I have found favor in your sight—and do not let see my misery”. Numbers 11:4-6, 10-15

There is a painful hunger among the people for meat and fish – a hunger among the rabble, those who have joined the wanderings . There was a craving for the old diet. They were tired of the manna. In fact they were so despondent that they “craved” their slavery in Egypt — freedom has brought them a “bland” diet. And, incredibly, Moses agrees. And Moses is harsh with G*d: “Did I conceive these people? Did I give birth to them?” Moses is trying to remind G*d that they are G*d’s responsibility. G*d must be a part of the caring for these people.

First it was Moses who wrestled with G*d when he was called to lead the people out of Egypt. Then it was the people who were wrestling with G*d: “We have no water. We have no meat to eat.” Now it is Moses again wrestling with G*d over these people who cannot make up their minds. They try to commit completely to G*d, but fear holds them back. Is it fear now that drives Moses to confront G*d?

G*d wants to remind Moses that it is G*d who has given he and the people their gifts. And when G*d gives you more, G*d may demand more. Have you ever thought about that? When G*d has heaped upon you blessing after blessing, does it not make sense that G*d has the right to demand more from you? In fact it is in Luke 12:48 where it reads “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked.”

Moses says “If I have found favor in your sight, put me to death now and do not let me see my misery.” It appears that Moses is trying to own the responsibility, and yet he feels helpless, and so is seeking any way through – even death. And so G*d arranges for Moses to get help from the people – 70 elders, men of authority.

There will be times in our lives where we feel helpless and where complaining or even death seems to be the only recourse. And then there are times where we feel helpless and realize that we cannot bear the burdens all on our own. G*d is always there to help us bear our burdens, and there will be others placed into our midst to whom we can reach out for assistance. It is our responsibility to ask G*d for help, and our responsibility to realize that G*d may ask more from us. Either way, we need only trust G*d to help us through.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on September 18, 2015
Tags: Courage, Wisdom   

Wisdom Cries Out In The Streets — Rev. David J. Schreffler

image    September 18, 2015

“Wisdom cries out in the street;
in the squares she raises her voice.
At the busiest corner she cries out;
at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
“How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
and fools hate knowledge?
Give heed to my reproof;
I will pour out my thoughts to you;
I will make my words known to you.” Proverbs 1:20-23

“Wisdom is not just a mother; she is also something of a prophet. Her first speech is nothing if not straightforward, and it is strongly reminiscent of several of the prophets. The opening verses (1:20-21) locate Wisdom in the midst of society’s hustle and bustle. She hawks her wares where everyone can hear — on the busiest corner and at the city gates (which often doubled as the place of justice in ancient Israel).

The irony is that so few people do listen to her voice. We know those who heed Wisdom are few in number because she addresses her audience as “simple ones,” “scoffers,” and “fools,” and describes them as loving and delighting in such behavior while hating knowledge (verse 22). This scenario is no accident. Wisdom’s audience has refused to hear her call and has not heeded her outstretched hand (verse 24). They have ignored all her counsel (verse 25a), and, indeed, would have none of her discipline (verse 25b). How could it be otherwise? Wisdom is, after all, on the busiest corner where everyone can hear. Everyone can, but not everyone will.” Working Preacher, Brent A. Strawn, September 13, 2009

In the Apocrypha we have the book named “Wisdom” or the “Wisdom of Solomon”. In Proverbs we are introduced to Wisdom. Wisdom is something that can be very elusive. The classic definition of Wisdom is “the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the quality of being wise.” Some synonyms might include: sagacity, intelligence, common sense, shrewdness, astuteness, judiciousness, judgment, and prudence. “Wisdom cries out in the streets…” I personally think wisdom is so elusive that even in the streets, we have a lack of wisdom. How can we re-establish some Wisdom in our society, in our world, in our communities, and in our churches? Too often we add the unnecessary requirement of age to the one whom we think will possess wisdom. However, I have heard some very wise comments from children. Wisdom does come from experience, but it also can come from those who keep their eyes and ears open when others shut them tight out of fear. Let’s find ways to heed Wisdom when she speaks….

Pastor Dave