July 18, 2021
Sunday
Exodus 17:1-4 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. 2 Therefore the people contended with Moses, and said, “Give us water, that we may drink.”
So Moses said to them, “Why do you contend with me? Why do you tempt the Lord?”
3 And the people thirsted there for water, and the people complained 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?”
4 So Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me!”
The Old Testament speaks of them in their day, but also speaks to us in our day. It’s a picture. They had no natural water. Why would God want them to camp there? God doesn’t always lead you down the easiest path. He led Jesus straight into the wilderness to meet with the devil himself. He does not do bad things to us, but that does not mean He won’t lead you through tough times. You don’t grow in the easy places. You don’t grow when everything is going your way. Growth comes in the tough places, if you don’t run. So, they have come to this place with no water. Their reaction was poor.
What kind of Christian do you want to be? What kind of home do you want to have? Do you like a life with no water? It is a picture of a life with no Spirit. In the natural, you can only go so long without water. You can have it either way, you get to choose. God does not want you to live with out Him. When you get too far away from God, the further you get away from His life and the water. Any time there’s no Spirit or life, there’s going to be contempt, confusion, strife, contention, etc. You have to know where to go to get the water for yourself. It is available to anyone who will go get it! There was a difference in the way the children of Israel reacted to the situation, and the way Moses did.
Exodus 17:5-6 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. 6 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.”
Moses knew where to go get the water. He went to the source! Instead of responding in anger and bitterness, he went straight to God. This is what we have to learn to do in life. When things get tough, that’s not the time to look around down here. The answers aren’t down here on earth with man’s wisdom. Moses turned to God because that’s where the answers are! How do you respond when things get tough? You can have water when no one else has water. Just because you haven’t had that in the past does not mean it isn’t possible. You only have to learn to pursue and get it. You have to know where to turn and you have to know to stay there until you get the answer.
Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
This water doesn’t always come instantly. You have to pay the price. Moses spent 40 days and nights on the mountain to get the 10 commandments. Then, after breaking the tablets, he had to spend another 40 days and nights on the mountain. To wait on God, your flesh and motives have to die. They control you more than you know. Consistency, patience, and diligence are rewarded! God rewards those who diligently seek Him! You have to start where you are!
To hear from God, you have to get up on the mountain with God! When you get up there on the mountain you get a perspective that you will never have down here. His thoughts are higher! The water is on the mountain!
Matthew 17:1-5 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
Only on that mountain is where change takes place. The true, lasting, supernatural change takes place up there. Change is good! We as christians, should always be improving. Notice in verse 4, Peter said, “Lord, it is good for us to be here.” God has such good things for us up on that mountain with Him. And He wants every part of you! Go to Him daily!