Derek Smith
Lead Pastor
Exodus 15:22-24
23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah. 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.
After the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea by God’s miraculous hand they came to the wilderness of Shur. God’s plan was for them to conquer the promised land, but first their faith had to be tested in the wilderness. Needless to say the wilderness is not a happy go lucky kind of place. There was little water and little food, and the one watering hole they did happen upon was undrinkable. What were they going to do now? In the midst of their hardship Moses sought the Lord and He gave them an answer. Throw the log in the water and the water will become sweet.
God is able to make bitter water sweet. Sometimes life is just frankly non potable. Some things can be incredibly hard to swallow. Like that co-worker who throws you under the bus for his own gain, or that neighbor who blesses you out over something ridiculous. Maybe it is a bleak medical diagnosis, or your spouse or significant other who won’t change. It could be that someone hurt you or wronged you deeply in the past. Things like these can easily make you a bitter person if you let them. The question is how can your life get better, not bitter. Life gets better when you throw the tree in your water. Throw the cross into those waters and things will get much sweeter. Die to yourself and your own selfish perspective. Remember that Christ loves you so much that He died for you, and if He died for you will he not also provide for you? Today, instead of getting bitter, get better. Throw the cross into the water of your life. Trust in God’s love and see from God’s perspective. Then your bitter water will become sweet.