Exodus 17:1-7 (NIV)
1 The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the LORD to the test?” 3 But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” 4 Then Moses cried out to the LORD, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.” 5 The LORD answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 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.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the LORD saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”
Numbers 12:10-13 (NIV)
10 When the cloud lifted from above the tent, Miriam’s skin was leprous—it became as white as snow. Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had a defiling skin disease, 11 and he said to Moses, “Please, my lord, I ask you not to hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed. 12 Do not let her be like a stillborn infant coming from its mother’s womb with its flesh half eaten away.” 13 So Moses cried out to the LORD, “Please, God, heal her!”
Reflection:
From books and media, to advice from people we know and meet, there seems to be a million ways we are presented with to cope with life and to be cured from mistakes we’ve made in the past. From the Exodus and Numbers passages, it’s clear that Moses knew what to do, for he knew who his source of life and sustenance was. Although it seems that the Israelites and Miriam deserved to suffer the consequences of their sin, God who is rich in mercy, answered Moses’ prayer and provided exactly what they needed. Whether it’s a need for provision, physical healing, or even healing of our hearts and minds, let’s be encouraged and reminded that God is our Source, and in His grace and mercy, He does not withhold His blessing, but graciously provides us with all that we need.
Response:
Let’s thank and praise God that He is our Source and our Salvation. Spend time remembering His wonderful deeds, provision, and healing in our lives and in our church. Then let’s pray for ourselves and our campus ministries/missional groups; that we would turn to the Lord again and again with hearts full of trust and confidence in our God, who alone is our Source of Life, our Salvation, our Provider and our Healer.
