Water in Stones

by Wayne Cordeiro on January 27, 2023

Happy Friday! It’s January 27, 2023. It’s time to grow, not just acquire more knowledge. The Asaro tribe of Papua New Guinea has a saying: “Knowledge is only a rumor until it lives in your muscle.” The Israelites repeated their mistakes again and again… so it was “rumored” that they were taught of God, but had no muscle. Can the Church have knowledge without muscle? My prayer is that we grow deep through knowledge and strong through obedience. Read on … 

Today's Reading:
Exodus 17,18,19,20; Acts 3

Scripture

"When all the congregation of the sons of Israel journeyed by stages from the wilderness of Sin, according to the command of the LORD, and camped at Rephidim, and there was no water for the people to drink. Therefore, the people quarreled with Moses…” (Exodus 17:1)

Observation

You'd think that if God commanded the Israelites to move to another place, He'd be more hospitable and accommodating. I mean, He's God, right? You'd think there'd be plenty of water, a buffet line, and waiters bringing coffee and dessert. You'd think that if God had planned it, all the logistics would have been considered, and a catering company would be waiting for them when they arrived.  

But it wasn't dinner time. 

It was lesson time.

Application

Even though I follow where the Lord has led me, there will be days when I will find that my resources are sparse  — not enough money, help, or encouragement. However, it doesn't mean God didn't send me or isn't with me! Unfortunately, my human tendency is to react prematurely, and in doing so, I make the desert hotter than it needs to be! 

But God is not finished yet. In due time, He will amply provide.  

I am learning to process in private so that I can proclaim Him in public. Read a bit further, and you'll find He provided water, not out of a faucet, stream, or well, but out of a rock (v 6). God had actually stored water in a rock! God supplied their needs from a source they least expected, and He still does the same today! 

I cannot ever define God by how great my circumstances are. Instead, I must define my circumstances … by how great my God is!

Prayer

Lord, thank You for helping me understand that just because there's no water at the moment doesn't mean that You haven't led me. Therefore, when I experience times of exasperation, inconvenient circumstances, and troubling emotions, I will curb my thirst for immediate answers and wait on You … knowing that there are rocks in which You have already stored water. Please keep reminding me of this. 

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