In the Wilderness of Marah

Just a week ago, I was rushed to the ER. Those cold beds I don’t like them very much. On that particular day, I was tired and took my SOS pill a bit late although I remember taking it once the aura keeps coming. Unlike before, my spirit hit a new low this time, which leads me once again into the wilderness of my life.

In other words, I was feeling liberated since the episodes of my chronic illness did not occur to me for the last two years or so. So, I’ve been making certain plans to fly again and pursue the interest of my heart. I’ve been surfing and talking to people via the internet.

Going and/or joining mission trips and working on my books – about finding good publishers and joining online degree course, in the least, were on my mind to state a few.

But here again, I was brought to a new low, which I don’t like very much. If it’s a matter of choice I wouldn’t want to even talk about it. Why God why?

Life is short and fragile – we were reminded of the brevity of a life time and again. Many times in words and in its practicality. And for a sane person, there were certain things we wanted to achieved or certain obligations, which were supposed to be fulfilled.

Now on this road, once again, I cannot go the way of inflicting pain and hurt on my mind and spirit. It’s always a good way to remain encouraged whatever shame and pain I may have been through. When you hit a new low you feel like you don’t want to keep going.

Today, the Lord takes me to Exodus 15 and 16 of the Scripture on which I am doing a course at the time. So I’ll be talking about a few of the incidents of my journey and the journey of the Hebrews recorded in the mentioned scripture.

Grumbling:

As you can now see, I was grumbling inwardly to the Lord before I know. For instance, I said to myself why now? If love is to be spoken, is this your love for me? I don’t deny God doesn’t love me quite enough.

Let me tell you something-when graduating from high school seems to be the end of my pursuance of my dream, the Lord brought me to a city where He let me earned my degree. I’m someone who believes in education for promoting a good and balanced life as we strive to get a better part out of anything. It is beyond my dream where the Lord get me this far. I shouldn’t be grumbling!

But now I’m grumbling because it is hard for me to see where life’s headed. Here the journey of the Israelites, although it’s historical for many, comes into my mind.

The wilderness of Marah:

Exodus 15 presented the contrasted mindset of the people, which is still true to our spiritual journey as well. We were happy, high-spirited when the sailing is smooth but easily setttled on the other side of the set.

The Chapter started with a song giving praise and exalting the Lord God for what he did for the Israelites. The greatness of God, the majestic power of God, the wonders of the burning anger of the Lord were sung by the multitudes. It seems they will never forget what He did for them in the Red Sea.

The mighty Pharoah’s chariot and infantry, the mighty water and rocks didn’t stand a chance before the Lord.

However, just three days into their journey the Israelites had forgotten all these things as they reached Marah as the water was bitter there. We have now known how bitter water has become drinkable water. But in that instance, they are facing the unknown future just as we do now.

And yes, the measure of the wilderness is hard to describe. At times, it’s a long night or a long day although the timings of the night and remain the same, it is the situation that describes it best.

They grumbled. Their allegiance to their God is tested. What is our allegiance to our God? Is it just because he blesses us, healed us, or we’re following just because some people are following.

Starving in the Desert:

Why does the Lord lead us this far? Sometimes there is no possible answer inside us. The negativity inside us takeover. Although there were many reasons to be thankful, there are times negativity is starving me. Our God has his purpose: To me, it is because He answered my plea many years ago, which brought me to the city where I had worked. Yet I don’t think I was brought here and simply left to die or simply to spent time alone or to live with insecurity and loneliness.

The Israelites too grumbled in parts of Exodus 15 and 16 thinking the Lord brought them out of Egypt to simply let them starve to death in the desert. “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” Exodus 16:3

Grumbling and Allegiance:

Sometimes we grumble among our households because it is our home. We are close to them, we are privileged. In that way, we are privileged to befoe the Lord as well once we become the future heir of God because of His grace. One might grumble but should not hold bitterness towards any entity, authority, or another person.

Our allegiance to our faith might get tested yet one must try to stay strong in the Lord. Who are we to grumble against God? Yet God has heard our grumbling, which the Holy Spirit intercedes for us through wordless groans.

What’s Next?

…in the morning you will see the glory of the Lord because he has heard your grumbling against him. 15:6 There were countless things to be happy even in our unlikely circumstances. He sent help.

When we pray humbly before the Lord, he will bring us out of the wilderness and rest us in Elim where there is twelve spring, heal us, and fed us with the desire of our heart.

Here another wonderful story of Manna and the meat of quail, which shows God is willing to meet our needs as the Lord had loved and care for us, has started again.

May our bitter days turns into the sweetness by the grace of the Lord!