God's Cure for Bitterness

Exodus 15:1-27

When God destroyed the Egyptians in the Red Sea, Moses and the children of Israel broke out in an elated song to the Lord. It's recorded for us in Exodus 15:1-18. Then Miriam, the sister of Aaron and Moses, took a tambourine in her hand, and all of the women joined her in making merry before the Lord. What a tremendous day of rejoicing!

But the children of Israel moved from the place of deliverance to a place of dryness, from the Red Sea to the Wilderness of Shur. "And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water." They continued to a place called Marah, which means bitter. When the people drank of the water, they understood why. "They could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter." How disappointing!

Are you ever disappointed with God?

Now the Israelites became bitter, and complained to Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?" Their joyful song of salvation turned to a despondent dirge of despair. The aridness of the desert had crept into their souls. Poor Moses! "He cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet." Exodus 15:25. What's the lesson?

In Hebrews 12:15 we are admonished, "Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled." Bitterness produces trouble and defilement. Some Christians, like the children of Israel, respond to disappointing trials with bitterness. Often their bitterness is directed at other members of the household of faith. Christian leaders, like Moses, frequently bear the devastating impact of undeserved animosity.

The cure for bitterness is the tree, the cross of Christ. When He died, we died. "We have been crucified with Christ...." Our old man, that sinful nature, was nailed to the cross with Jesus. The apostle Paul would tell us to "put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." He adds, "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor (or loud quarreling), and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice." See Ephesians 4:24, 31.

From Marah the Lord led the children of Israel "to Elim, where there were twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees; so they camped there by the waters." Marah is not the end of the journey. God is here for you.

Lord, how childish and fickle we are at times! We thank You for Your patience and longsuffering in Your dealings with us. Refresh our souls this day. Minister to our hearts by Your Spirit. In Jesus' name. Amen!

The True Bread from Heaven - Exodus 16

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