Life's Bitter Waters

Day one hundred twenty-five

I am particularly thankful for today, it is the least busy day of my week.  It is my catch up day and it came just in time!  When my schedule gets busy and I have to prioritize my list of things to do, cleaning the house usually falls last on the list.  Unfortunately, I am one of those people that can't let go of the feeling that I am somehow failing as a wife and mother if my house is not clean.  My family is great at helping out with the chores, but I live in a house with three men, and although they try, it is never quite Mom Clean.  So this morning I prayed with gratitude for a family that supports each other, for the opportunity I have to Mom Clean today, and for a Father who knows me so well that He blesses me with these days, every now and then, so that I keep my sanity.

Exodus 15

"The burned hand teaches best."  J.R.R. Tolkien

There is truth in these words.  Think of how many times you tell a child not to touch the fire, stove, etc, because it is hot, but they never really understand until they have been burned.  When this happens they can relate to what hot means. It is a lesson they will never forget as long as they live, but it was a bitter lesson to have to learn.  Unfortunately, we all seem to possess this same characteristic.  We have to be burned to learn!

In Exodus 15, Israel has been praising God for their great victory over the Egyptians.  They have been delivered from slavery, they have been given a new life and they have witnessed God destroying their enemies in the depths of the Red Sea. Now 3 days later, they are faced with another trial, they have no water to drink. To make things worse, when they arrive at Marah they find that the water is bitter or undrinkable.  But out of this bitter water experience they will learn some important lessons.  These lessons are worth examining, as we too will have times in our own lives where we will be faced with thirst and the bitter waters.

Life Lessons Learned


Life is a Mixture of Bitter and Sweet
I suppose they, like a lot of people in our day, assumed that once we sign up to follow the Lord, everything is going to be perfect and that there will be no bumps in the road.  According to the scriptures, life is a mixture of good (Ps 35:9; Eccl 9:9; 2 Ne 2:25; 2 Ne 9:18) and bad (Job 14:1; Job 5:7; Eccl. 2:17,23). This is a lesson worth remembering! When we are aware that life can go either way, then we are prepared for either.

Life has a Master
When Israel arrived at Marah, they seemed to forget all the wonderful things God had done for them. They forgot that up until that time, the Lord had been in absolute control. They forgot that God is the Master of life, both in the good times and the bad.  Sound familiar? We sometimes forget that the same God who is in control on the good days is still in control on the bad days! We are reminded of this in Romans 8:28:

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Life Has a Ministry
God used these times, both the sweet and the bitter, to minister to the Israelites. What they learned about God throughout these times, shaped their perception of who God was and what He could do for them. The same is true for us. Every situation in life serves as ministry of the Lord to us. He uses all the times of life to shape us in His image. In all things, God is simply trying to make us more like Him (Eph. 4:13).

What They Learned about Themselves

Living for Self
They were only concerned with their bodily satisfaction. Forgotten were the great things God had just recently done in their lives. Instead of being caught up in His wonder, glory and worship, they were totally consumed with their own personal needs! We must remember that God doesn't want us living for self and selfish needs. He wants us to live for Him! When we do, He has promised to take care of life's trials (Matt. 6:33)!

Being of the World
Israel was guilty of looking for satisfaction in the world around them, instead of from the God who had saved them. Then, when their expectations failed them, they became disappointed with God.  As Christians we are to learn to depend on the Lord, completely and totally, for every situation in life. We are to be a people of faith (Rom. 1:17). When we step outside of faith and walk in the worldly ways, we have put God in second place.

Never Satisfied
The Israelites, just 3 days before, had seen the Lord destroy the greatest army in the world. They had seen God part a great sea and deliver them. Then they had seen Him take that same sea and use it to defeat their enemies. When these things happened, they opened their mouths and praised the Lord in song. Now they are standing by a pool of bitter water, complaining because the Lord didn't do it their way, in their time!  God's plan for our lives is that we learn to give Him glory in every situation life throws at us. Whatever we face in life, we are to praise His Name (Eph. 5:20; 1 Thes. 5:18; Phil. 4:6).

Lessons About the Lord 

He is Aware of Our Needs
God knew what they would face at Marah. He, Himself had planned their journey. He knew about their need before they did. Nothing in our life takes God by surprise! He is already in tomorrow and He knows what we will face when we get there (Matt. 6:32). God knows what we need before we ever need it. He is aware!

He is Able to Meet Our Needs
Moses was commanded to cast a tree into the waters and, when he did, they were made sweet. God, in His wisdom, had already prepared that tree for the meeting of their need. When they arrived, He was ready. He manifested His power and they got what they needed from the Lord. He is able to meet our needs as well!

He Has Already Provided For Our Needs
Years before Israel arrived at Marah, God caused a seed to germinate in the very place where they would need it. He looked ahead and prepared a way before a way was ever needed. He does the same for us! How would it affect our lives if we realized that our need is only the evidence of God's supply in waiting? (Phil. 4:19) We will never face a need in life that God hasn't already met.

I know this is a long post, but as I was learning I realized that if these life lessons ever sink in, it will change our lives forever. It will totally destroy worry, doubt and fear. It will liberate us from selfish interests and give us peace about all of life! Wow! All of this from a pool of bitter water, what an amazing God we have!