Delivered. Throughout the book of Exodus, we witness the nation of Israel’s miraculous deliverance from their slavery in Egypt. It’s amazing, dramatic, and miraculous. It’s the impossible becoming possible. It’s everything they cried out to God for and more.
Ephesians 3:20–21 (NKJV): “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Through His deliverance, God quickly led the fledging nation into the wilderness. They don’t know where they are going or how long it will take them to get there, but they know what they have left and are marching on. It’s glorious and wonderful, except that it’s hard. Very hard.
A significant part of the wilderness experience was testing. First, the people faced their hunger. What did God do? He gave them manna from heaven! Then, they faced their thirst. What did God do? He provided water.
Both of these are life’s basics. They are not luxuries. They are real, deeply felt needs God noticed, identified, and provided.
Philippians 4:19 (NKJV) “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
In Exodus 17, the thirsty nation comes to the waters of Marah. They taste the water and learn that it is bitter. It’s here that God deals with them again. He reveals their bitter hearts to them and then provides the solution to clean the waters, which Moses does. Then, the nation moves on to the place of rest, Elim, where palm trees (shade) and wells of water (refreshing) exist.
It’s similar for you and me. We’ve been delivered from the Kingdom of darkness, rescued, redeemed, and saved for all of eternity! It’s everything we’ve ever wanted and more, except it’s hard. Sometimes it’s harder than hard. We come to these bitter things, get upset, and forget God is with us, only to learn of His faithfulness once again and move on to the place of rest and refreshing.
Hebrews 12:14–15 (NKJV) “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;”
You don’t need to stay at the waters of bitterness (Marah). You move forward, or in some cases, return to the place of rest and refreshing. Abiding in Christ is the ONLY way you will make it through the bitter waters of your life today. Jesus is your strength. Jesus is your help. Jesus is your rest. Jesus is your refreshment. He reminds us of the eternal perspective of our temporary pain.
Your Bitterness Will Destroy You
10 Bible Verses About Bitterness
Beyond the Bitter Waters: Discovering Rest and Renewal in Christ
