“When God brings us to a time of testing or we going to be bitter or better? Are we going to murmur, grumble,and complain or are we going to see the miracle working power of Jehovah-Rapha? Exodus 15:22-26 KJV [22] So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out intothe wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and foundno water. [23] And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the watersof Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.[24] And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? [25]And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he hadcast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them astatute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, [26] and said, If thouwilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do thatwhich is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keepall his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I havebrought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee. The Lordhas led the children of Israel into the wilderness. Three days into the dryand barren wilderness where no water is. With a mixed multitude of as many as2 million people he leads them into the desert. Nobwater is a death sentence.Maybe they are down to empty water sacks now. Maybe they are now totally outof water. The children crying, “momma I’m thirsty.” Maybe they are runninglow on water and now looking for a sorce of fresh water. It says here “theyfound no water.” Truly a death sentence. It is common knowledge that 3 dayswith no water can cause severe dehydration and death. These folks are in areal and seriously dangerous situation. If they can’t find water they willdie. So they start grumbling against Moses. Grumbling against Moses is thesame as grumbling against God. This is a time of bitterness. A time of Marah.God has led them here. How often do we complain and grumble when we are in atime of testing. The test is real. The danger is real. The concern isunderstandable. But, the reaction is not helpful. Moses on the other hand,prayed! Prayed and the lord shewed him a tree! Showed him a tree that wouldmake the water sweet. That would take the bitterness away. When we are inthese places of bitterness we can look to Calvary. A tree where Jesus took allthe bitterness away. When he changed Marah to sweet water. Living water! Thisfirst mention of Marah is also the first mention of Jehovah-Rapha, the Lordour healer. God wants us to trust and obey. If we will trust and obey we canexperience wells of waters under the palm trees. Now that’s where I want to becamped.”—
