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. 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.'”

November 21st, 2022 by Pastor Ed in devotional

The natural drive for water is second only to the drive for air; and since our bodies are more than two-thirds water, we cannot survive much beyond 4 days without it. So here the people of God were feeling a very strong urge for water. God had supplied their cry for meat and bread in the last chapter, and now they were crying out for an even more basic need, water. They had hoped for water since they were arriving at a place called Rephidim, meaning “rest stop.” But there was no water to be found. Then God showed Moses a rock and instructed him to strike it with his rod. Miraculously, fresh water flowed from the struck rock to quench the thirst of the people.

Why did God lead His people to a place where He knew there was no water? We can apply the question to our own lives as well: “Why does God still allow dry times to come upon His children?” The simple answer is that God intends to, wants to, promote thirst in His people. God wants for His people to experience dry seasons because it creates thirst, which is a good thing. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, / For they shall be filled” (Matt. 5:6). He also said, “‘If anyone thirst, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke concerning the Sprit, whom those believing in Him would receive” (John 7:37–39). This is the same “living water” that Jesus promised in John 4:13 to give the woman of Samaria if she would turn to Him as the Messiah. The promise of new life, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is available today to everyone who will come to Jesus Christ, the struck Rock, to quench their spiritual thirst.

“Thank you, LORD, that we recognize that we are dry and You are the only true source of living water. Fill us now we ask in Jesus’ name.”