The Test Continues

Exodus 17:1 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.
 
THE fact the Israelites traveled from “place to place as the Lord commanded” and then they came to Rephidim, where “there was no water for the people to drink.”  might cause you wonder. Wouldn’t God know there was no water for his nation at Rephidim? Is God a poor leader or what?
      “Or what?” indeed. What happened? Out of a rock at Rephidim came streams of water. Read further, and you will see how Israel defeats the Amalekites as they faithfully obey their God. Scarce water and enemy attacks are two realities of the Jews’ journey to the Promised Land as the LORD God continues to turn their minds to know him.
      One way God visible shows himself is Moses’ Spirit-powered staff. This was the staff Moses had when he first encountered God in Genesis 3. It was the staff God used to display his authority to Moses, the Jews’ leaders and to Pharaoh. Now Moses’ staff strikes the rock. He lifts the high to strengthen his troops. (See Exodus 17:8-14.)
      Human nature demands evidence that God is real and all-powerful over our lives. Exodus has revealed the LORD repeatedly took his people into places of suffering - slavery, thirst, hunger and war – so they would know His power was the difference between life and death.
      Now consider this. Centuries from this time, God would use another piece of would to demonstrate his saving power. The Father put into the hands of his Son, Jesus, a wooden cross to raise high and declare: John 7:38 “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."  To affirm John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
      These past few lessons have focused on God testing Israel. We need to know how to trust God in his test and in Satan’s temptations. We must understand the opportunities God gives to us to declare, “You are my Lord and King. You are my Savior. I will trust in you.”
 
LIFE Link: God leads you sometimes to pain, so that you will rejoice in his power.