Two weeks ago now, I began reading Exodus 15:22-27 NIV. This is what it says.
The Waters of Marah and Elim
22 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.23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.[f]) 24 So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”
25 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink.
There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test. 26 He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”
27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.
Here’s what jumped out to me.
- After being in a parched place and desert land, they came to water.
- The water was bitter.
- The people complained.
- Moses asked God about it.
- God answered.
- The water became sweet.
- After a time, they continued on and came to another place.
- The water was plentiful and the shade came from 70 palm trees.
- They set up and camped here a while.
- Is this what I can experience in any given situation???? Can I camp in this peaceful, relaxing oasis even amidst the desert times?
I asked God what He wanted to say to me. This is what He said.
“You have been on a long journey, which has felt parched and desert like.
You sometimes have looked at your circumstances seeing only bitter.
You can choose to remain in this place if you want, but it is not what I will for you.
I don’t see things as you see them.
Ask me what to do and I will tell you.
Come to me expecting answers, I will not disappoint!
Be obedient to my call and you will taste sweetness within the “bitter”.
Call upon me and I will show you great and wonderful truths. I turn bitter into sweet.
You are coming to a place where you can rest for a bit and enjoy my abundance.
In fact, as you encounter me throughout your day, you will discover your peace levels will multiply. As your awareness of me increases, so do the things you need to thrive in your day.
Trust me with what burdens you, my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
I long to carry these things for you, so that you are free to enjoy the very things I have put before you.
Come…..come….come to me my child and I will give you rest.”
Oh Father,
Thankyou so much for your sweet song of redemption.
I have been through such a tough journey and even though I can see the good things, when I feel overwhelmed by the tough – sometimes it’s hard to get myself out of it.
Help me to look to you in those times.
Help me to not become bitter about the circumstances I am surrounded by. Just like that desert, the drinks of water seem few and far between at times.
I love that even in my life, you strategically place oasis within those barren places. They seem to ‘pop up’ when I am desperate for refreshment. They come, because you know what I need.
They come, because you are a loving Dad to me.
You see my condition, allow me to have my free will, but supplying breaks within it all – markers that point to the way which will take me to sweet and peaceful places.
Father, please show me how to abide in you, and therefore abide in all that you are…..COMPLETE PEACE
COMPLETE LOVE AND BELONGING.
COMPLETE ACCEPTANCE.
COMPLETE JOY.
COMPLETE…..SIMPLY COMPLETE.
Help me to want for nothing more, than you and your friendship.
You are my creator, but also my trusted confidant and encourager in life.
I am so grateful.
Bless you Father. Thankyou Father. Show me the next step, then equip me with what I need to obey.
In Jesus mighty name.
Amen. xxxxx
