Article October 26, 2009 Issue

IT WAS ALWAYS THERE

MICK BENDOR

AFTER A COUPLE OF DECADES of dry conditions on our farm, and even more recent years of relentless drought, it had become easier and easier for me to give in to the feeling that some things are simply out of our control.

Yet at the same time, and from firsthand experience, I felt deep trust in God and an expectation of good. The familiar saying, "Let go and let God," took on a deeper meaning. The act of letting go of doubts, fears, and despair, is not passive. It's an acquiescence to trust divine direction, and often requires courage, fortitude, and tenacity.

As I prayed to deepen my trust, my wife, Delia, reminded me of the Bible story of the Israelites wandering the desert after escaping Egypt. Upon setting up camp at Rephidim, the people found no water to drink. They quarreled among themselves and complained to Moses, "Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?" (see Ex. 17:1–7, New International Version). Moses, afraid that he was about to be stoned, turned to God to deliver both himself and his people. God's answer: "Walk on ahead of the people. ... take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink." Moses did just as God said, and water poured out. Moses named the place "Meribah," after the Hebrew word for quarrel.

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