LIFE SCRIPTS

22 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah. ) 24 So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” 25 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink. There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test. 26 He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.” 27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.
Exodus 15:22‭-‬27 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/exo.15.22-27.NIV.

Three days without water in the desert must have been a very difficult start of the Exodus. To make matters worse, when they found water at Marah, it was bitter and they couldn’t drink it. But when they cried out to the Lord, He instructed Moses to throw in a piece of wood to purify the water for them to drink. God was teaching the Israelites dependence on Him. Though they had what they needed at their disposal, they still needed God’s intervention. Such are the situations we sometimes face in life. We feel close to a breakthrough yet far away off. Though we struggle for long, just when we’re about to hit target, we realize that we’re not yet there. God is just a call away. God also made a promise to the congregation telling them that if they’re obedient to Him, they’ll not be struck by disease like the Egyptians. God had used the plagues to bring about disease and suffering as part of their judgement. Though He had set aside Israel as a people He would use, there was a condition…to live right before Him or else… This is the constant call God is making to us. To desire to be right with God in all things. So right after this instance, God led them to an oasis called Elim filled with springs and palm trees. We must remember that all along the Lord would lead His people through a pillar of fire and a cloud. Though God would lead them, it still took faith for them to believe that He was with them through the thick of things. Moments before, they had been through a dry wilderness. Now, they were enjoying the benefits of a spring. God always leads us in the right direction. Though we encounter hurdles and snares, He’s not in the business of hanging us out to dry in the wilderness. He’ll lead us to clear and still waters and restores our souls just as it’s said in Psalms 23.