Exodus 17:1-2: “From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarreled with Moses, and said, ‘Give us water to drink.’ And Moses said to them, ‘Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?’”
In Egypt, the Israelites groaned under oppression. God intervened; he made a way for their escape and then provided water, food, and direction in their travels. Now, we see these people groaning again – “Give us water!”
After seeing God’s faithful provision, we would assume that the people would look to God and ask him to provide for their daily needs. They had seen his miracles. Instead, we see the hardness of their hearts. Instead of trusting, they begin demanding. They get angry with Moses accusing him of bringing them into the wilderness to die.
Hardness of heart is a dangerous thing. Despite seeing the goodness of God through their freedom and provision, the Israelites chose to doubt God and to doubt Moses.
Do we do that? Do we allow our immediate fleshly desires to overrule us so that we begin to doubt God, get angry at God, and allow our hearts to get hard?
Father, forgive us for the many times we allow our hearts to get hard. Soften our hearts through the power and presence of your Holy Spirit and empower us to trust you to meet our needs.