Scripture: Exodus 15:22-27
Then Moses had Israel leave the Reed Sea and go out into the Shur desert. They traveled for three days in the desert and found no water. When they came to Marah, they couldn’t drink Marah’s water because it was bitter. That’s why it was called Marah. The people complained against Moses, “What will we drink?” Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord pointed out a tree to him. He threw it into the water, and the water became sweet.
The Lord made a regulation and a ruling there, and there he tested them. The Lord said, “If you are careful to obey the Lord your God, do what God thinks is right, pay attention to his commandments, and keep all of his regulations, then I won’t bring on you any of the diseases that I brought on the Egyptians. I am the Lord who heals you.”
Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees. They camped there by the water.
Consider:
Our journey often begins with a song of victory - we seem so certain of the destination and confident we will reach it with no issues or obstacles. In Exodus 15, the Israelites have just witnessed a miracle at the Red Sea. They are ready to conquer the wilderness and claim their destiny. But only three days later, the singing stops. They reach Marah, find the water bitter, and their ambition turns into grumbling.
This movement from the Red Sea to the bitter waters of Marah reveals a fundamental truth: Ambition without endurance is merely a temporary burst of adrenaline.
In verse 22, Moses leads the people into the Desert of Shur. For three days, they find no water. When they finally do find a spring, it is undrinkable. These are the inevitable setbacks that meet any pursuit, but which seem so surprising when we encounter them.
We often expect a linear path from the beginning promise to the promised land. We expect our “fire” to carry us through. However, the fulfillment of a goal depends less on the speed of the start and more on the source of the endurance.
When Moses cries out, God shows him a piece of wood. When Moses throws it into the water, the water becomes sweet.
God did not perform a new miracle by falling rain from the sky, instead pointing Moses to something already growing nearby. Obstacles along our journey often blind us to the resources right in front of us. We are so focused on the horizon we miss the “tree”—the mentor, the small adjustment, or the shift in perspective—that can turn a bitter situation into a sweet opportunity.
If the Israelites had let their frustration at Marah cause them to turn back, they never would have reached the abundance of Elim. This is the “stewardship” of our journey. True success is not just about survival; it is about reaching a place where there is enough “water” and “shade” for everyone you are leading.
Respond:
Are you currently at the Red Sea (celebrating), at Marah (facing bitterness), or at Elim (enjoying abundance)?
Each part of the journey reminds us to look for the gift of endurance - and to rely on the resources already around us. What resources do you have available to you which would help you take the next step in your journey?
Pray:
Leading God,
We often begin our journeys with joy and celebration, so certain of its success. Help us to see obstacles not as a stopping point or reason for bitterness, but as a step along the path. Show us the water lying just underneath the obstacles which will help us find our next step towards the oasis you’ve promised. Amen.
These posts will always be free, however, if you find them meaningful and would like to consider supporting our online outreach, you can donate using this link.
