Moses: Day 18

Wednesday, September 22

Moses: Called, Challenged, Changed

Day 18—From Bitter to Sweet

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. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah). So the people grumbled against Moses saying, “What are we to drink?” Exodus 15:22-23

Suggested reading: Exodus 15:22-27

Yesterday we witnessed the Israelites singing and dancing; now only a few verses later in the very same chapter, they are grumbling and complaining. Grant it, they had been walking in a desert for three days without water, and when they finally found some, it was undrinkable. I will be the first to admit, happy words would not be rolling off my tongue either. (Alongside of thick muddy sludge, I also have an aversion to intense heat!)

But, really now, could these Israelites not have paused for one hot second and thought about what God had just done only a few days prior? An entire body of water obeyed him!

I have noticed that when these people cry out to Moses, Moses then cries out to the Lord. (Moses, by this time, is understanding that he is not the main character in his story.) God then tells him exactly what to do. The Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became sweet (v. 25).

God explains the analogy of the “wood that turns the bitter water sweet” in this way: if the Israelites trust and obey him, then they will be spared of all the plagues that struck the Egyptians. God then states very plainly, I am the Lord who heals you (v. 26).

Not only is God the healer, he is also the One who abundantly blesses. To make a further contrast between life without him (bitter water at Marah) and life with him, the Lord led them to Elim where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water (v. 27). Now that’s sweet!

Thoughts:

How often do I find myself doing the same exact thing as the Israelites, praising the Lord one minute, then grumbling at him the next time something doesn’t go my way. If I would just remember that my way apart from him, leads to a bitter end!

Today, all day long, let’s try to keep the “wood in the water.” Better yet, let’s camp out by an abundance of living water and hide under the shadow of God’s wings! In your adverse situation, whatever it is, allow God to enter in through his Word and his Spirit. What is he calling you to do? Will you do it? Why delay? When you trust and obey him, joy somehow becomes part of your trial, and your bitter way turns into his sweet one. You as well as those around you are blessed.

How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. Psalm 36:7-8

Going deeper and sweeter: Psalm 91:1; Psalm 121:5-6; Isaiah 55:2; John 4:14

Dear Lord,

Please help me to long for your ways more than mine! Pull me into the safety and comfort of your shadow and revive me in your word. In this place alone, I can find rest—mind, body, and soul. Amen.