On the heels of the Red Sea crossing, the Children of Israel experienced a perplexing place. They walked for three days without fresh water. It caused them to question Moses’ leadership; his God-appointment being held in contempt. When they finally came to Marah, the pool of water was bitter and they could not drink it. The scene was set: The answer was before them, but still so far out of reach.
I wonder why God gives such great victory, miracles and wonders, only to lead us into the dry places. Perhaps the answer is found in trust. The fact is that Moses never knew what the days would bring, though that made little difference to the people. They blamed him because it is always easier to blame people than to point our finger at God. This would not be the first or last time anointed and appointed spiritual leadership would suffer attack from the congregation. History is replete with second-guessers and accusers. The ways and paths of God are often filled with the unknown.
Marah was a place of promise. It looked good. The supply was more than sufficient to quench the thirst of millions, but the stench was overwhelming and they recoiled from its border. Why would God give us something we cannot use? How is it that the very thing we need is spoiled, unusable, undesirable? Trust. Faith. Prayer. The leaning on the Lord.
We’ve come so far with so many miracles in our path. However, the next step may be dry. Who knows where the Lord may lead. The question is not a leadership issue. It is a divine path. It may be that you will experience a personal famine while others are swimming in fresh waters. It might be that you will walk through dry spells and feel the emptiness of a lonely journey. Only the Lord knows what is best for you, for us, and for our church. The end of it all will always be about His Lordship; not about our comfort. This may be a hard saying, but you should know, Jesus is more interested in your eternal soul than your present condition. If the dry leads you to the City where the Lamb is the Light, you must know, the journey will be worth every trial, every moment. Heaven; Home.
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole
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