Bible Text: Exodus 15&16
The Christian journey is completely like the journey of the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan, as they went through a lot of trials and tribulations.
On their journey, there were a lot of prophecies that gave them assurance that the land of Canaan would be handed over to them. When you read the book of Exodus, it is testified that their journey wasn’t butter and bread.
At the point of their trials, God provided for them in times of thirst and hunger.
At Marah, they were thirsty and very worried about having water for drinking, but when they had the water, it was bitter for drinking. Brethren, what is God telling us? He is drawing our attention to the fact that anything He provides needs to pass through a test for His glory to be revealed.
The thirst at Marah represents our desires and will for things we hope for, our expectations, and our visions. They desired, expected, and envisioned water for survival, but why was it bitter for drinking?
At times, we pray for opportunities, but when the opportunity is provided, it comes with its challenges. That’s the natural law of life, which every opportunity must go through.
You sought marriage, school, employment, travel, birth, etc., and you are now becoming fed up due to the challenges and difficulties you are encountering (bitterness), but I would like to encourage you that at Marah, the bitterness was healed by God through Moses.
Brethren, any pain, depression, sickness, embarrassment, or barrenness you are encountering in life after the opportunity given will turn around for drinking.
Moses prayed on behalf of the Israelites for the water to be sweet for drinking; in our time, Christ is the mediator to turn things around for us to seek Him for direction, as Moses did at Marah.
Never say is impossible; it needs time and patience for the sweetness to be tasted as the bitterness is turning around.
Additionally, as we hope to grab the opportunities provided to us by God, there is also the need to be persistent in our requests to the Lord. As He inspires us, let’s seek to persistently pray and never give up (Luke 18:1). In His time and perfect way, God will answer since He provides for us and does so in multiple ways.
If you have not accepted Christ, accept Him to turn your soul from darkness to light.
By Elder Joseph Dartey, The Church of Pentecost – Abuakwa Area, Toase District – Central Assembly
