An Unfailing Resource (Ex. 17:4-7)

5/25/2008 6:36 AM

SPIRITUAL DIARY

My Worship Time           Focus:  An unfailing resource

Bible reading & Meditation               Reference:  Exodus 17:4-7

            Message of the verses:  “4  So Moses cried out to the LORD, saying, ‘What shall I do to this people? A little more and they will stone me.’  5  Then the LORD said to Moses, "Pass before the people and take with you some of the elders of Israel; and take in your hand your staff with which you struck the Nile, and go.  6  ‘Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at 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.  7  He named the place Massah and Meribah because of the quarrel of the sons of Israel, and because they tested the LORD, saying, ‘Is the LORD among us, or not?’”

            In verse seven the word Massah means testing, and the word Meribah means contention or quarreling. 

            The results of the test God gave Israel is given in this section, and the answer to it was that the God of mercy and grace answered they prayers of Moses in spite of Israel failing yet another test that God gave to them. 

            Dr. Wiersbe points out that the rock is a type of Jesus Christ:  “and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ” (1 Cor. 10:4)  He also points out that the water is a type of the Holy Spirit:  “37 ¶  Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.  38  "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’"  39  But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified” (John 7:37-39)

            “On the map of our lives, how many places ought to be named ‘Testing and Quarreling’ because of the way we’ve complained about our circumstances and failed to trust God?”

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I have been reminded again this morning that whenever I quarrel or complain about the circumstances that I find myself in that I am not complaining to anyone but the Lord even though my complaints may go against the one who seemingly causes my pain.  The children of Israel complained to Moses, but Moses asked them “who am I that you should complain to me?” 

My Steps of Faith for Today:  I have been reminded again not to complaining about my circumstances.  I want to trust the Lord to direct my path, Proverbs 3:5-6; I want to yoke up with the Lord Jesus Christ today, Matthew 11:28-30; I want to learn contentment from life’s circumstances, Philippians 4:11; and I want the Holy Spirit to teach me to rely upon Him to take the temptation away, 1 Cor. 10:13.

Memory verses for the week:                      Matthew 11:28-30

28.    Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest.

29.    Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am humble and gentle in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

30.    For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.

5/25/2008 7:10 AM