into the wilderness of testing

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Then Moses led Israel onward from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur; they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah.
And the people murmured against Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?"
And he cried to the LORD; and the LORD showed him a tree, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the LORD made for them a statute and an ordinance and there he proved them, Exodus 15:22-25 (RSV)

There are times we may find ourselves in a desert, being tested. Days without water is likely to make me grumpy, wondering if I could have a drink to quench my discomfort. Moses set us an example. He was learning to depend upon God and he called to him. He was shown a tree, a sign pointing forward. He threw that tree into the water, just as the Christ was set amidst the people. If that bitterness can be reversed and made into that which is sweet, what about you?

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