When we read the Bible, we might simply flip through the pages and overlook the experiences of the people who are described in it.
You can read in less than 30 minutes events that took place over a year or more to the Hebrew people.
They went through 10 plagues, ending with the death of every first-born Egyptian male. They crossed the Red Sea on dry land while Pharaoh and his 600 top chariots chased them.
They experienced God’s visible presence as a pillar of fire and a cloud. This not only protected them but also guided them.
In the face of God’s mighty deeds on their behalf troubles in the wilderness tested their faith.
Testing
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us to ask that we not experience times of testing.
The traditional Lord’s Prayer saying, “Lead us not into temptation,” is best interpreted as “Don’t lead us to a time of testing.”
And do not bring us to the time of trial,
but rescue us from the evil one. (Matthew 5.13 NRSV)
Jesus taught us to pray to avoid times of testing. Still, sometimes these challenging moments happen as part of God’s plan.
This was the case with the Israelites shortly after they crossed the Red Sea.
Then Moses ordered Israel to set out from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the wilderness and found no water.
When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter. That is why it was called Marah.
And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” (Exodus 15.22-24).
I understand the Israelites’ situation. Despite receiving many blessings from God, they grumbled during tough times. Too often, I too, have fallen to the temptation to grumble at life’s happenings.
Why does Jesus encourage us to pray, asking not to be led into trials, yet still permits challenging times to happen? I believe it’s because he has lessons for us in these moments that can’t be learned otherwise.
Prayer and Provision
Moses shows us how to handle tough times. He prayed and when God guided him and he was obedient to God’s directions.
He cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood; he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet (Exodus 15.25).
In today’s YouTube video, Rudy Ross explains that the wood Moses tossed into the water symbolizes Christ’s cross. Jesus endured the cross to change our life’s bitter parts into sweet, abundant ones.
You may be interested to know that the term “show” originates from the word “Torah,” meaning instruction or law.
The Israelites’ trials in the wilderness readied them for God’s law. Later in their journey, God would give this to them.
God shows us how to live His way through our prayers, trials, and his answers. He does this to better shape our lives according to His plans and purposes.
The best action we can take during a tough time is to say “yes” to His guidance.
The Lord Our Healer
The miracle of turning bitter water into pure links to a promise. From now on, obeying rules and laws will bring both physical and spiritual healing.
There the Lord made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he put them to the test.
He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in his sight, and give heed to his commandments and keep all his statutes,
“I will not bring upon you any of the diseases that I brought upon the Egyptians, for I am the Lord who heals you” (Exodus 15.25b-26).
When Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10.10), he easily could have pointed to this promise in Exodus.
The best life is lived by having a relationship with Jesus and willingly following God’s guidance.
We all encounter problems. During these tough times, it’s best to keep Jesus as our dear friend. It’s not helpful to have a non-existent or distant connection with the Lord when we’re facing difficulties.
The psalmist was aware that God is our healer. He wrote:
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and do not forget all his benefits—
Who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases. (Psalm 103.1-3)
Reflect on your life and remember the numerous times God has healed you. It’s important to appreciate these moments and give him thanks for being our healer.
I want to stress again that having a relationship with God and following His commands is the best path always, particularly during hard times.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross, Whispering Danny and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
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