There are several questions posed in the Bible which recur
over and over in human existence. “Is the Lord among us or not?” is one of
those questions.
The Israelite people were thirsty and judging by his
reaction to their complaining, so was Moses. They had become understandably
anxious about the supply of water which they needed for life. As soon as Moses
asked God, he was told where to find water. God was waiting to help as soon as
they asked. This suggests that God doesn’t intrude in our lives but waits to be
invited. When we find ourselves in trouble, we often assume God has deserted
us. It is extraordinary how deeply ingrained in us is the idea that when things
are going well, God is blessing us and that when we are in trouble, God has
deserted us. It certainly feels like that.
The Samaritan woman had had what for many of us would have
been a hell of a life. It was a time when women were at the mercy of men for
survival. She wasn’t an ancient Elizabeth Taylor, a conclusion we often jump to
when we hear of her five husbands and present de facto. If she had been
divorced several times, it was not she who had initiated these. She could not.
Only a man could do that and with relative ease and no responsibility. She may
have been widowed several times.
How can we know if God is among us?
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