Exodus 15:22-27 "So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee. And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters."
The children of Israel stood on the shore of the Red Sea and sang praise unto God. They rejoiced in His deliverance and thought upon His promises. They were sure the LORD was able to do everything He had promised them. Now we find them three days later in the wilderness.
This was a great host. Six thousand men plus their families and herds would require a lot of water. For three days they had journeyed without water. It is not hard to imagine their relief when they came upon a water source. Neither is it difficult to imagine their disappointment when the water proved too bitter to drink.
We might be tempted to think that, having just witnessed such a great display of God’s might in their favor, they would call out to Him for aid. Rather, we see them immediately raising complaints. Instead of looking to God or asking Moses to pray to Him on their behalf, they murmured against Moses. They expected Him to have an answer to their dilemma.
Moses turned to God for aid because Moses knew that he would not be able to produce drinkable water for the children of Israel. In answer to his prayer, God showed Moses what to do to fix the problem. God proved His people at the bitter waters and set a law before them. If they would listen to His commandments, do what was right in His eyes, and keep His commandments, He would spare them from all the afflictions that the Egyptians endured. He alone was the One who made them whole.
Beloved, when the water of life is sometimes bitter where we are, do we default to murmuring? The only solution for the bitter water is found in applying the grace of the Tree of Life. When we listen and do according to the leadership of the Holy Spirit, God is the health of our countenance and our Deliverer from apathy and unbelief. Follow Him faithfully; wells and palm trees (a place of refreshing) wait just down the road.