ScriptureExodus 17:77 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?”Observation - What does it say?
Once again, almost immediately after God reveals his love to Israel through miraculously providing food for them in the wilderness, Israel is quick to move on to the next issue and complain. This time they are thirsty and have the nerve to test the Lord and doubt his very presence among them. And yet, God was merciful and miraculously provided water out of a rock.
Understanding - What does it mean?Don’t put the Lord to the test or doubt his presence!The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians about this very time Israel drank from the rock in the wilderness.1 Corinthians 10:3-63 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.
Although God still provided them with water, it wasn’t evidence that he approved of them. Verse 5 says God was not pleased with most of them. And verse 6 tells us what we should do in response to reading this passage in Exodus. Namely, that we should learn from their example and not set our hearts on evil things.
I believe the God honoring thing to do, the opposite of Israel's example, would be to thank God for what he’s done and to trust him!Life ApplicationBe thankful and trust God’s presence with us!When difficulty comes, I choose to remind myself of the ways God has proved his love for me in the past. I choose to be thankful and I choose to trust him. The areas the Holy Spirit seems to be bringing to mind specifically are my finances and my children’s health and safety.
God, you’ve never given me reason to doubt your provision or your love for me or for my family. You’ve always cared for us, often in miraculous ways. Thank you! I put my trust in you to continue to provide for us, protect us and care for us. I know you love us. I know you are with us. And I rest in that today. Amen.
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