“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:18-19
When hurricane-force winds parted the Red Sea, the enslaved Hebrew nation walked through to freedom on dry ground, experiencing first-hand the power and goodness of God. When they cried for food, He provided more than enough manna each day to meet their wants and needs. But that didn’t satisfy them. Fueled by their lack of trust, they grumbled and lashed out. Why would God bring them into this desolate place to die? Didn’t He care? Didn’t He know they were thirsty?
But God, in His infinite goodness and love, simply instructed Moses to strike a rock with his staff. Miraculously, out gushed clean, sweet water. He had heard their cries. God did understand how upside down their world was now, and He met their need with enough to nourish both their bodies and their trust.
We are a lot like the Israelites, aren’t we? Our trust is low; we try to satisfy our inner needs with the things of this world. What we really need is Jesus who says to us, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” It’s an open invitation to trust Him to meet our needs.
But God, in His infinite goodness and love, simply instructed Moses to strike a rock with his staff. Miraculously, out gushed clean, sweet water. He had heard their cries. God did understand how upside down their world was now, and He met their need with enough to nourish both their bodies and their trust.
We are a lot like the Israelites, aren’t we? Our trust is low; we try to satisfy our inner needs with the things of this world. What we really need is Jesus who says to us, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” It’s an open invitation to trust Him to meet our needs.
Scripture Focus
Exodus 17:1-7; John 7:37
Insight
FAVORITE OLD TESTAMENT MIRACLE by Vicki Bowker, a past Anchor writer. She is the wife of Holden Bowker, Haven Canada’s director from 2004-2016. They live in Delta, BC, Canada, where they enjoy family, friends, ministry, and travel.
Bible In A Year
- Numbers 1-2
- Psalm 61
- John 1