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Exodus 17:1-7, Water from the Rock

Friday, June 1

Enough

Narrative Lectionary Daily Devotions written by Kace Leetch from Clergy Stuff.

water from a rock

The Israelites' complaining is almost comical by now. They complained that the Lord would not save them, and then they were led across a parted sea. They complained that the Lord would not provide food, and then God sent manna and quail daily. They complained that the Lord would not provide water. When would it be enough for them to trust God?

I guess it's not so different for us. How many times has God come through for us? And how many times do we lament and complain because we are facing another trial? When will it be enough for us to trust God?

Narrative Lectionary Text: Exodus 17:1-7

From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarreled with Moses, and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” So Moses cried out to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” The Lord said to Moses, “Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”