Pastor Speaks – July 10, 2008

Rev. Dr. Keith Wagner
St. Paul’s United Church of Christ
Sidney, Ohio

In ministry I frequently encounter people who are experiencing anxious moments. The challenge is to offer them hope and assurance. I often find myself saying, “This too shall pass.” That phrase actually occurs in a Jewish wisdom folktale involving King Solomon. The phrase is commonly engraved on silver rings. King Solomon once searched for a cure against depression. He assembled his wise men together. They meditated for a long time and gave him the following advice: Make yourself a ring and have thereon engraved the words "This too shall pass". The King carried out the advice. He had the ring made and wore it constantly. Every time he felt sad and depressed, he looked at the ring, whereon his mood would change and he would feel cheerful.

Currently our nation is experiencing rising costs of gasoline. Everyone is complaining. I can remember when the price of gas was 35 cents a gallon. I also remember that my hourly wage at that time was $2.00. In those days we never complained about the price of gas. We did however complain about many other things. For example, there were many times when you had to wait to make a phone call since we were on a party line. Long distance was expensive. To make an overseas call you would have to take out a loan. Now just about everyone has a cell phone. You can talk anytime, anywhere and long distance is free. Yes, it is true gas is now $4.00 a gallon, but “this too shall pass.”

I guess we humans just like to complain. That was especially true for the Israelites. They were in the wilderness, without food. (See Exodus, Chapter 16) They were lamenting over their time in Egypt when they had plenty to eat. They forgot however that they were in slavery. God told Moses, their leader, that they would have food to eat. God said, “At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread." First God gave them quail, so much that they “covered the camp.” Then God gave them “manna,” a white flaky substance which tasted like wafers made with honey. God said this new substance would sustain them and all they had to do was gather enough for that day. It was not necessary to stockpile it or hoard it.

This story however was not about food. It was about the struggle of the Israelites to survive in the wilderness. The Israelites were so anxious that their memories were distorted. They remembered having enough food and drink in Egypt, but they had forgotten the abuse and oppression they experienced at the hands of the Egyptians. Thus, they were anxious about their future just like we are anxious about the future of rising fuel costs.

The people complained and God provided. God always provides. God always gives us what we need. But the manna the Israelites received was different. It was something they had not seen before. It was a new substance different than their traditional meal. They had to adjust to their new food and a different way of living.

That’s exactly what is happening to us. We too have to adjust. Yes, gas is getting more expensive. That means we will have to drive less, drive slower and drive smarter. It is very likely that SUV’s and oversized automobiles will soon be obsolete. Society has not yet totally accepted hybrid autos and we are so accustomed to the combustion engine that we have not seriously considered alternative sources of power. We may have to consider mass transit like they do in Europe.

Had the Israelites returned to Egypt they would have returned to slavery and never reached the land of promise. Moses heard their complaint and continued to lead them forward. Like them, God wants us to be people of faith who do not dwell in the past. God wants us to live in the present and put our trust in God's care. Like the Israelites, we too can surive but we will have to adjust.

The good news? God provides for us and gives us what we need. Manna from heaven exists for us each and every day. God is aware of our anxiety and will intervene. Hopefully our leaders, like Moses, are listening. Life today is also like living in the wilderness. We don’t always know what comes next. We can however be assured that God will provide. There is one thing you can be sure of, “This too shall pass.”