Exodus 15:22-27 (NIV)
22 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) 24 So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” 25 Then Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink. There the LORD issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test. 26 He said, “If you listen carefully to the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.” 27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.
Reflection:
Modern media so often paints a picture of frustration with crying and complaining family members packed in a van asking, “Are we there yet?” Just watching these situations from the outside is enough to make us thankful that we’re not there, but have you ever been around others who complain a lot or get easily discouraged or confused? This was what Moses continually experienced with Israel after leading them out of Egypt. But rather than leaving them, Moses’ response was to cry out to the Lord on their behalf. We’re able to see his heart reflected in his response to the people’s grumbling. It’s in this heart of dependence on the Lord for the people of Israel that we can live in the “now what” as we face similar situations.
Response:
As we reflect on Moses’ response before the Lord, let’s spend some time praying for ourselves and for our churches; that we would receive the heart of Moses and orient our lives more and more to quickly cry out to the Lord when we experience discouragement or confusion in our lives. Let’s put our trust in the Lord, knowing that He is the one who hears and answers us in our distress.
