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Day Five: Water from the Rock

The children of Israel thirst a second time during their journey. This time the problem was not even that they had bitter water – they had no water at all.

Then all the congregation of the children of Israel set out on their journey from the Wilderness of Sin, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped in Rephidim; but there was no water for the people to drink. Therefore the people contended with Moses, and said, "Give us water, that we may drink." And Moses said to them, "Why do you contend with me? Why do you tempt the Lord?"

And the people thirsted there for water, and the people murmured against Moses, and said, "Why is it you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?" So Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, "What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me!" And the Lord said to Moses, "Go on before the people, and take with you some of the elders of Israel. Also take in your hand your rod with which you struck the river, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink."

And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. So he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the contention of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, "Is the Lord among us or not?" Exodus 17:1-7

Earlier this week we read about bitter truths that are hard to take and apply in our lives. There are other times when we don’t see where we can find truth at all. The children of Israel were thirsty and saw no way to find a water source. When Moses turned to the Lord, the people were given water from a most unlikely source–out of a rock. This illustrates a living and pure truth that is given to us from the Lord when we need it most. This living truth can nourish us and can help to renew our faith when we are able to acknowledge that in turning to the Lord we will always find a source for truth–even when it seems impossible.

Key Point
Even in the hardest times, facing decisions that seem impossible to make, we can always find truth, guidance and comfort by turning to the Lord and His Word.

Reflections
In relationships we are sometimes faced with difficult moments when someone asks our opinion. Do we offer them a bitter or sweet truth? How might these be different? What is our motive?

Download this Reflection in printable form. (PDF)

Discussion Board
Share your thoughts on today's Journey in the discussion board.

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