22 Then Moses made Israel set out from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the wilderness and found no water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah. 24 And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” 25 And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the Lord made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them, 26 saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.”
27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped there by the water.
Exodus 15:22-27
Big Battle or Daily Grind
This passage began after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and sang praises to the Lord. No doubt, that was a major victory in a big battle. However, lives usually are not filled with big battles but rather the mundane of daily lives. We have to pass both to graduate from the school of faith.
The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 3 days without water, finally, they found water in Marah, but the water was undrinkable. The Israelites started doing what they did best, grumbling. They asked “what shall we drink?” and “what shall we eat?” throughout their journey in the wilderness. While we need food and water, I would say, these are not the most important things in our lives and therefore should not be the most consistent questions in our minds. Instead, our questions should be how can we please God and how can we obey Him.
Moses was in the same situation. Instead of grumbling, he cried to the Lord. Going to God, and trusting in Him is the only way for our problems large and small.
I am the LORD Your Healer
God solves our problems by:
- Changing things/circumstances. Like here, He turned the water from bitter to sweet.
- Leading us to another place, like He led the Israelites to Elim.
- Giving us strength and grace. (2Cor. 12:9-10)
The first 2 ways happened to the Israelites but you have seen the results. They gained what they needed but then never grew spiritually. The third way needs our acceptance, happened to Paul and he grew to be one of the most influential apostles in the history of the church.
Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men and women.
Phillip Brooks
Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks.
Raisins & Apples Bible Devotional & more 