1 The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink.
2 So they quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water to drink."
Moses replied, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?"
3 But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, "Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?"
4 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, "What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me."
5 The Lord answered Moses, "Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go.6 I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink." So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.7 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: The Israelites had just been set free from slavery (they were setting out from the Desert of Sin). They had just been shown God's might and glory. They were following God into the unknown (which can be scary), and they began to have needs that were not being met. Instead of asking God to meet those needs, they began to complain, grumble, and quarrel, even saying they would be better off in Egypt (after all, they knew what to expect there). Even Moses waits until he gets totally exasperated to ask God for help.
Application: Heard around the Palmer breakfast table this morning: "I am so hungry, but I can't eat. I'm sorry; can you bring me your plate and go get dressed? But I'm hungry. I'm sorry, is there something else I can fix you? No, I'm hungry, but I can't eat!" By the time we got in the car this morning, I felt like Moses felt in verse 4: "What am I to do with these people?".
As I lead these kids God has given me, I must first recognize all that God has done for me and for all of us. He has led us out of the "Desert of Sin" into an abundant life in and through Jesus. Exactly where we are going and how we will get there is completely unknown to us (which can be scary especially for us planners), and there will be trouble and needs to be met along the way. Just as God was with the Israelites in a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire, God is with us through His word and Spirit. All He asks of us is that we seek Him and follow Him. How in the world can we forget that? Yet, somehow we do. We wait until we are completely exasperated to ask God for help. Sometimes, even then, we can't accept that the answer might be: "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." (Exodus 14:14). Sometimes the best thing I can do for my kids is to be a good example.
Prayer: Lord, I am so sorry for all the times I have waited far too long to ask for your help. You have done so much for me and for all of us! Without a doubt, you are among us! I trust you with my family and my life. Forgive me when I seek you last instead of first. Give me wisdom as I raise my children...guide me as I attempt to teach them and guide them. Most of all, keep me, your child, on your path. I love you!
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