16 JULY

WATER FROM THE ROCK

“All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on…and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. Therefore the people quarrelled with Moses and said, ‘Give us water to drink’.” (Exodus 17:1-2)

How short human memory can be! The Israelites had already forgotten God’s miraculous provision of daily food. They had asked for bread and got manna daily. Moreover, just like the typical human being, they had wanted variety and grumbled about having no meat, and God had given them quail. But did that satisfy them? Not at all. In fact, it seemed they were just waiting for another reason to complain again.

Now at Rephidim, there was no water. Instead of trusting, praying and asking the God who had not only brought them out of Egypt miraculously but had provided their needs, they complained, grumbled and quarrelled with Moses. Was Moses their provider?

They tested God.

Whenever we complain and grumble, we are testing God. Instead, of complaining and grumbling, we should focus on getting our problems solved, through prayer and listening for God’s direction. Sometimes we need practical actions like seeking godly counsel, engaging in helpful discussions or rearranging of priorities.

“This is what the LORD says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD.’” (Jeremiah 17:5, NIV). The Israelites’ trust was in a man. But, thank God, that man – Moses – knew his God. He cried out to God in prayer. God mercifully answered and, as Moses obeyed His instructions, water came out of the rock.

ACTION: Reflect on past demonstrations of God’s faithfulness in your life, and let that fuel your faith in His power to do even more in your life.

PRAYER: Father, God, please give me grace to trust completely in you and remove my focus from any man.