Bible Text: Exodus 15:23 “When they came to the oasis of Marah, the water was too bitter to drink. So they called the place Marah (which means “bitter”).” Read Exodus 15:22-25
Memory Verse: Isaiah 60:15 “Though you were once despised and hated, with no one traveling through you, I will make you beautiful forever, a joy to all generations.”
Marah is bitterness. After the Israelites left Egypt, crossing the red sea and sojourning to the promised land, they had done three days of movement and gone far into the dessert. Interestingly, they had a major victory just before arriving in the dessert and one would have assumed that after that triumph which saw Pharaoh’s horses and chariot perish in the sea and the Israelite dancing in celebration, the Israelites would automatically have a smooth journey all through as God is with them, but for them the transition was different, they moved from deliverance to the dessert and then into Marah, Exodus 15:19-21.
The way in which our lives transition can at times be a shock to our system when something we didn’t envisage occurs. Yes, God is with us, and our expectation is that since we have fought one battle emerged a victor, we automatically go into the season of victory and continue without any hurdles on the way, but let’s borrow a leaf from the Israelite’s book, it’s not always black and white or a plain sailing when it comes to journeying to a destination.
Imagine the feeling when you’ve been going through a phase of battles in life and just when you finally stumble on what seems close to a break through, it turns out you’ve hit another road block like Marah. You possibly will be devastated and loose every element of hope in you.
While reactions will vary according to individuality, the most certainly reaction is mental breakdown. Even people who should sometimes encourage you will begin to tag you in a very negative way. Some may even act God in your life and say you’re suffering for your sins; some might attribute your situation to a list of other things.
The bible records the story of the woman with the issue of blood, she definitely has a name, but her name was long forgotten or possibly never remembered by anyone, she was popularly and famously known as the “woman with the issue of blood”. Similarly, Blind Bartimaeus never lost the tag of blindness even having received his sight. Likewise, the Widow of Zarephath had a stigma, and a host of other people. This has become a norm as people unconsciously tag you based on the situation you’re facing.
The brilliant news for you is Marah is not usually the end, it is just a phase in the journey of life. It represents a time you have to cry to God to come to your rescue. No one is able to make anything change in your life except God and that’s why you see after a while of people tagging you, they move on with their lives and leave you with the tag. As far as human is concerned it’s your burden and your problem but this is the time to make it God’s problem to handle. You are in a better place compared to the Israelites because they needed someone’s help to reach out to God but you already have a direct access to God through the name of Jesus. You do not need a mediator as you can approach the throne of grace directly, hence it’s time to use your connections wisely.
If you’re currently experiencing your own Marah, you can choose how you respond to it. I encourage you to believe that God is able to turn every representation of Marah in your life to sweetness. Develop the strength to ignore all the noise and turn to God alone. Let your focus be on crying out to God for solutions and believing that He is more than able to bring you victory.
Remember God is the one leading your life’s journey and if he started the journey with you, He sure will not leave you stranded.
PRAYERS:
- Father I thank You for your endless blessings and great plans you have for me
- I surrender all to you O Lord, guide me and help me to define, structure and achieve all plans in this year 2020
- Help me to fully acknowledge You for direction, live above fear of uncertainties and grant me the boldness to see beyond all impossibilities
- Turn every bitter waters in my life to sweetness, change my story o Lord
- Forgive my iniquities Lord and let your mercy prevail over judgement
- Thank you Father and in Jesus Name I Pray, Amen.
I’m reading the YouVersion plan ‘Bible in One Year 2020 With Nicky Gumbel’. Check it out by clicking on the caption below.
