Exodus 17:1-7 1The 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.2so 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?” 3but 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?” 4Then Moses cried out to the LORD, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.” 5The 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. 6I 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. 7And 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?”
Today’s passage should not be confused with the similar passage in Numbers. They are two events. Countless sermons and devotionals have been created on the latter passage, when Moses lacked enough trust in God to see water gush forth from a rock solely upon a spoken word. How heavy the consequences were for that disobedience!
Today’s text gives the first account, when Moses completely trusts in God’s command and obeys without hesitation. This was the right time to strike the rock and watch water gush forth quenching the thirst of a parched, albeit rebellious, people. Many more opportunities for obedience would occur between this rock and reaching the Promised Land.
If you have ever felt disappointed by good deeds gone unnoticed; the lesson is simply this: Do the right thing—simply because it’s the right thing to do. Obey God and trust in His ultimate wisdom. For then it will not matter who notices, because your Heavenly Father certainly will!
Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,
Thank you for your abundant providential care. Grant us the strength and courage to give you our complete obedience in all things; the first time, and without hesitation or reservation.
In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.
The devotion Between a Rock and a Promised Place was originally written for Wednesday, May 28, 2013; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
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