ICS Daily Devotions
Knowing God’s Character and Attributes
Exodus 17:2-3,7 (NKJV) Therefore the people contended with Moses, and said, “Give us water, that we may drink.” So Moses said to them, “Why do you contend with me? Why do you tempt the Lord?” And the people thirsted there for water, and the people complained against Moses, and said, “Why is it you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?”….So he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the contention of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”
While Moses was a people person and an approachable leader, it did not mean that he wasn’t anxious especially in a situation that was beyond his abilities. There was a sense of entitlement from the people who were argumentative, full of strife, and quarrelsome. It can be emotionally draining when it comes to dealing with contentious people.
We might be impatient to wait for a breakthrough or a lack of progress in a situation such as the reopening of the church during this COVID-19 time. We might echo the same complaint, “Is the Lord among us or not? Why isn’t He doing something about my situation or the situation in the church?” While there are those who will be very vocal in their unhappiness, there will also be those who will behave in silent rebellion, gossiping and being tale bearers behind the scenes causing division to the body of Christ.
The Israelites started to vent their frustration at their leader instead of looking to the Lord to provide. It is easy to find fault with the leader rather than to choose to be understanding and supportive. These people were on a journey with Moses under the instruction of God when they came to a place in the wilderness where there was no water. The Israelites had completely forgotten about God and didn’t really know who He is. They were not aware of His attributes, His character and how He operates in the covenant relationship like their forefathers had knowledge of God. They were venting their anger and frustration on Moses instead of crying out to God for their needs. The Israelites experienced the deliverance of the Lord from the slavery of Egypt. They had miraculously crossed the Red Sea and witnessed the death of the Egyptians when the sea closed up on them. They had received daily manna from heaven. God had turned bitter water into sweet water for them. They could have shown patience and just trusted in God to provide them with water. They should have known God through all the times He delivered and provided for them, but instead they were tempting God to judge them by continuing to complain and murmur. But praise the Lord! Our God is slow to anger and abounding in love. It was a faith journey and an educational trip for God to introduce Himself to a generation of Israelites who had no idea of who He is! It is one of those occasions where God wanted the people to trust and rely on Him for deliverance and provision. They needed to KNOW GOD especially His attributes and character.
Likewise, we need to know God through His word and walking out the lifestyle of faith so that we will be able to understand what it takes to journey with the Pastor towards the vision given to the church.
Sermon Series: Life Lessons
