As Jesus’ followers, the journey of life and path of discipleship have been anything but easy and smooth. We worry, and are at times weary, overwhelmed, and even worn out. We fear, fail, and struggle with our flaws. We are thirsty along the way. We look everywhere to find a way to quench our thirst, but in the end, we find ourselves even more wanting.
How can we quench our thirst in this weary journey?
The Israelites, who were called out of slavery in Egypt and journeyed through the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land flowing milk and honey, asked the same question.
Exodus 17
Water From the Rock
1 The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.”
Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the LORD to the test?”
3 But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”
4 Then Moses cried out to the LORD, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.”
5 The LORD answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the LORD saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”
The journey in the wilderness that began with God’s calling out of Egypt and ended with the eventual arrival at the Promised Land was long and arduous for the Israelites. There was the threat of Pharaoh’s army, the barrier of the raging Red Sea, the issue of water quality, and the problem of food shortages. But God proved that He was faithful to them and provided what they needed in each of the challenges.
But they found themselves confronting the same challenge again. No water in an arid desert land under scorching heat! They were getting impatient with both Moses and God. They quarreled (that’s what Meribah means): “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” (v3) We know that God provided before. But why doesn’t He just open a stream before we even get thirsty? Who knows if He will provide or not this time? Is He really able to quench our thirst?
They were testing (Massah) God’s faithfulness, love, and power.
God’s response to such unbelief and irreverence was full of grace. He led them to a rock. And the rock provided them with the water that quenched their thirst.
We, like the Israelites in the wilderness, are in between our first call out of slavery with Christ and our final destination of heavenly glory. We have a lot of needs and challenges, no matter how strong we appear.
What are you facing in your journey of life today? Are you longing for love, security, and significance? Are you thirsting for power, possessions, or recognition as a substitute for your secure status in Christ as God’s child? Are you doubting God’s faithfulness, love, and power?
Come to the Rock!
In fact, the Rock that gave water to the Israelites at Massah and Meribah accompanied the Israelites throughout their journey. That Rock is Christ (1 Cor 10:4)!
Jesus said to the Samaritan woman, “Everyone who drinks this water (physical water) will be thirsty again, but those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14)
Come to the Rock for the living water of eternal life!
Take a few minutes to ask God to show you why your current thirst has not been quenched, if you have been seeking satisfaction in the wrong places. Pray for the Spirit to bring you back to Christ, the Rock!
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