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. 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? 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? And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me. And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not? (Exo 17:1-7)
Once again the Israelites have no water, and instead of turning to GOD and asking Him, whom they cannot see, they blame Moses, whom they can see, for the calamity that they see in their immediate future. They have forgotten the power of GOD, the last time they were out of water, or any of His promises, because of their need. Moses goes before the Lord and laments for this rebellious people, that are ready to kill Moses. The Lord tells Moses what to do, to bring water from the smitten rock, and the water comes forth and the people are satisfied.
Jesus Christ is our smitten Rock, who gives us the water of life freely. When we were without strength, and could not save ourselves, He humbly and willingly became a man and took our place on the Cross of Calvary, to pay our sIn debt and provide the only way to the Father. Our faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on that cross reconciles us with GOD and gives us a new nature that is Spirit filled, resurrected with Christ.
Because of what Jesus Christ has done for us, and because of our faith in Him and His power to complete all His work in us, without grumbling or complaining, to shed the living water of life that is within us, wherever GOD sends us. We have been commissioned to go and tell, and as we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ and the Salvation He provides to those who put their trust in the Rock of Ages. We are called to disciple one another in love and in His Word that we are no more children, but grow up into Him in all things. We are called to minister to the hurting and in need, that others will see Jesus in us, the Hope of Glory. In all things we are to glorify GOD in our bodies, and take His message of hope and grace to this lost and dying world, so that those who hear may believe and believing have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. Just as He provided water from the rock, He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, and receive the water of life from the Rock, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
RSS Feed