“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.’ Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.”
- Exodus 15:26-27 -

After the spectacular victory at the Red Sea you might have expected Israel to be full of praise to God. If so, you’d be disappointed. Their first month in the wilderness was characterized by grumbling. First, they turned north to the rugged Desert of Shur which, as its name suggests, lacked water. Understandably, after three days they began to complain. Their anger only increased when, on reaching the watering hole of Marah, they found its water unfit to drink. After Moses cried out to God, God made the water drinkable by commanding him to throw some wood into it. There’s no scientific explanation for what happened and nothing is made of the symbolism of the wood effecting the change. It was a miracle. Then God revealed himself, promising that he would heal them and prevent sickness from plaguing them, providing they obeyed his commands. He shows himself to be ‘Doctor Yahweh’. Journeying on, they reach the lush oasis of Elim, where water was plentiful.

Sometimes when we face life’s disappointments we’re tempted to moan and think our pre- conversion days were better than following Christ. How absurd, as Israel reminds us! Don’t grumble: praise.

Closing Prayer: Lord, I want to live thoughtfully and thankfully. Enable me to learn the grace to be thankful in all situations.

(From Encounter with God)