March 7 I Sunday

Deuteronomy 1-3

Mark 10:32-52

“Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe.”  —Genesis 12:10

Where do we turn to when “famines” hit us and our life becomes difficult? Where is our faith during these times when we are tested? When the pandemic hit our world about a year ago, some of us lost jobs, loved ones and livelihoods. Our routines and patterns had been interrupted, causing some of us to question where to put our faith.

       I remember sitting at home watching a commercial last year of a drug company that said these lines: “At a time when things are uncertain, we turn to the most certain thing there is—science. Science can overcome diseases, create cures and yes, beat pandemics. It has before; it will again.” While I am not against science at all and would want scientists to continue researching for a vaccine, when things are desperate and challenging, I do not turn to science, I turn to El Shaddai. I turn to the God in control over everything because my faith is in God. I trust that He may lead some scientists to find a vaccine through His wisdom, knowledge and understanding. My faith rests not in what the scientist can do, but in the God behind the scientist. 

       We may think that after we have read the Bible, filled with examples of God taking care of His people, that we would learn He is big enough to care for all our needs, but somehow we still struggle to believe. Our faith rests in God Almighty: the God who delivered the Israelites from their bondage to Pharaoh through mighty acts of judgment; the God who cared for His people while they wandered in the wilderness, feeding them each day with manna; the God who overthrew mighty kingdoms in battle and delivered them from the enemies’ attack; the God who brought victory for Gideon over an army of 120,000 soldiers when there were only 300 of them; the God who overthrew Goliath for David; the God who shut the mouths of lions for Daniel; the God who brought His people back from exile; the God who cured the lame, the blind and the leper; and the God who resurrected the dead. 

       Our God is able. He is El Shaddai, the God over everything. Even though we live with the whole biblical revelation, we can still struggle when “famines” hit, doubting God’s ability to protect us as fear creeps into our lives. If we find ourselves in a place of “famine” today and fear is settling into our life. May we remember that our God is able. There is no “famine” too great, no situation too dire and no circumstance too much for Him to overcome.

Prayer: El Shaddai, indeed, there is no “famine,” no situation and no circumstance that You have not overcome. I believe in You as the God over everything. Praise You!