Bible Reading: Exodus 15:22-27
Memory Verse: “The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love” Psalm 103:8
Devo
There’s nothing like a cold glass of water on a hot day. Without water you can only live for about 3 days, but I can’t imagine not drinking water for even a day.
After God had rescued Israel from Egypt, Moses lead the people toward the Promised Land. Three days after passing through the Red Sea, God’s people hadn’t seen water.
Moses led the Israelites to an oasis, a spring of water in the desert. The travelers scurried across the sand, waiting for cool water to their parched lips. People unloaded their water skins to refill them for the next leg of the journey until…
“Oh yuck, this water is bitter. You can’t even drink this stuff.” Spitting the water on the ground, the people began to complain against Moses. The place was called Marah, which means bitter.
The Israelites had just seen eleven huge miracles as God rescued them from slavery. Ten plagues fell on Egypt and the Red Sea opening up for them to escape. God had been faithful to them, but they grumbled and complained to Moses.
“What are we going to drink?”
Poor Moses cried out to God, “What am I going to do with these people?
God showed Moses a piece of wood, an ordinary stick laying on the ground.
Moses picked up the stick and threw it into the water, and a miracle took place.
The bitter water became sweet. The Israelites had plenty to drink.
God tested the people and told htme. “If you obey me by following my commands, I won’t punish you with the diseases I sent on the Egyptians.”
We see in this story that God is faithful even when we lose faith. When God gives you something good that you don’t deserve, it’s called “grace.” We can see that God is full of grace, slow to get angry and quick to take care of His children.
What about you?
Tell of something you complain about. How can you see God’s grace instead?
Because we are followers of Jesus, we need to walk in grace toward others. Who can you show grace to this week?
Prayer
Thank you, God, that you show grace. Help us show your grace so everyone can see your gracious heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.
