Dear Family,
Today is Thursday, May 30, 2024. It is Day 33 and Day 5 of Week 5 in our Count to Pentecost.
As the children of Israel came to Rephidim, they had to face another problem; at least to them it seemed like a problem.
Exodus 17:1 And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink.
Do we believe it was an accident that they came to Rephidim? Or, did God lead them to this place? Well, from verse one; it was according to the commandment of the Lord. Should we think God did not know about the lack of water? After all, at lease on the surface it appeared this way. Why would God have done it this way? Here comes the lesson. God was giving them another opportunity to believe and trust Him.
Let each of us think back over the events of our lives during the past month. Did God give us any occasion to believe and trust Him? Did He send any problems our way? Did He put us in a difficult place? Did He test our faith? How did we do? Did we doubt God in any way?
How did Israel handle their current test of faith? Did they believe God could and would take care of them?
Exodus 17:2-3 (2) Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said; Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them; Why chide ye with me? Wherefore do ye tempt the LORD? (3) And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said; Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?
It is really becoming clear; Israel had a very short memory! They forgot all that God had already done for them! So, what about us? How short is our memory about all the things God has and is doing for us? When we face our trials and tests, do we look to the only true source for our deliverance? Do we, as Israel, grip, complain, and murmur; or, do we take our needs to God?
Mark 11:22-24 (22) And Jesus answering saith unto them; Have faith in God. (23) For verily I say unto you; That whosoever shall say unto this mountain; Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. (24) Therefore I say unto you; What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Faith does not forget God‛s wonders!
Ben Faulkner, Pastor
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