Bitterness to Sweetness
Exodus 15:22-27
The journey of the Israelites across the wilderness
is similar to our spiritual journey. The
passage from Exodus 15 shows one of the challenges the Israelites faced in Marah.
The Israelites grumbled, but this is not how we should behave.
In Chapter 14, we can see the Israelites praise
God for bringing them out of Egypt. Soon after in chapter 15, the Israelites start
to complain because of the bitter water.
1.
When we take
grace for granted, it is no longer genuine grace. The Israelites took for granted
God's grace. Instead of waiting for God to act, they grumbled. If we appreciate
what God has done for us, we will respond with thanksgiving whatever. We will respond
gratefully to that grace. We will not rebel. When we feel that Jesus truly saved
us, we would want to do something for God .
Our attitude in our heart will be reflected in
our words and actions
2.
We must remember
that God is with us all along. The pillar of fire and smoke were signs that God
was following them.
By having faith in Jesus, it is a miracle. We
learn about Jesus from the Bible and sermons, but there is no scientific evidence
that Jesus is God and saves us. We use faith to believe that God is with us and
Jesus has saved us. God is bigger than anything in our lives. When things to be
too big, Moses prayed.
Exodus 15:24-25 ESV
[24] And the people grumbled against Moses, saying,
“What shall we drink?” [25] And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a
log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the Lord
made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them,
God the healer restored the situation. God allows
us into go into desperate situations so we may pray and become closer to God.
Our bitterness may come from losing a job, failing an exam, becoming ill or losing a loved one. We cannot avoid bitter situations, but God can change our bitterness into victory.
