We the Israelites:
Have just experienced answered prayers by the mighty works of God in the way of deliverance from Egypt.
Have just witnessed a sight that is beyond sight as we walked through the Red Sea, on dry ground with walls of water on both sides, sea creatures staring at us in disbelief.
Have just left a gruesome sight as the Egyptian soldiers, their battle gear, chariots, and animals began to wash up on the shoreline.
Today we are on the third day of our journey out of oppression, depression, and suppression.
Exodus 15:22-25 NCV “Moses led the Israelites away from the Red Sea into the desert of Shur. They traveled for three days in the desert but found no water. Then they came to Marah, where there was water, but they could not drink it because it was bitter. The people grumbled to Moses and asked, ‘what will we drink?’ So Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When Moses threw the tree into the water, the water became good to drink.”
Exodus 15:25 NASB “He cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree, and he threw it into the water, and the waters became sweet.”
A few takeaways here…
First, why are the Israelites grumbling? For the first fifteen verses of this chapter, they sing, praise, and worship their God. Jehovah the Lord is my deliverer. Jehovah Nissi the Lord is my banner.
He has just delivered them and fought for them, bringing them forward in victory, and the first obstacle they the Israelites encounter, they begin to grumble and complain!
Second, they ask Moses what are we to do? Well, doesn’t that seem obvious? To Moses, it is…We Pray!
Life’s waters are often bitter, so many times we have no idea how we are going to get through the raging currents. We only see the size of the waves that keep crashing down and forget about the one who can calm the storms.
Mark 4:39 ESV “And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a calm.”
Instead of speed dialing everyone we know who will listen to our complaining, grumbling, and whining, our exclamations that we don’t know what we’re going to do! Maybe just maybe, we should try calling the one who can calm the storm, is bigger than the waves, and can turn any situation around.
Our Lord is always there when we need him; he can turn our world around and wants to. So the next time you encounter bitter waters. Turn to the one who can make them sweet and good to drink.
Thank you for joining me, and may your day be blessed! 🥰
Sunshine On My Shoulder 