Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
November 19, 2021
Read Exodus 17:1-7
1 The whole Israelite community broke camp and set out from the Sin desert to continue their journey, as the LORD commanded. They set up their camp at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 The people argued with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why are you arguing with me? Why are you testing the LORD?” 3 But the people were very thirsty for water there, and they complained to Moses, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst?” 4 So Moses cried out to the LORD, “What should I do with this people? They are getting ready to stone me.” 5 The LORD said to Moses, “Go on ahead of the people, and take some of Israel’s elders with you. Take in your hand the shepherd’s rod that you used to strike the Nile River, and go. 6 I’ll be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Hit the rock. Water will come out of it, and the people will be able to drink.” Moses did so while Israel’s elders watched. 7 He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites argued with and tested the LORD, asking, “Is the LORD really with us or not?”
Good Morning! Trust in God’s Grace!
The astronomer in me had to get up at 4:00 this morning to see the almost complete lunar eclipse, aka the blood moon. As I looked up at the beautiful, clear sky, I took time to give thanks to God. I remembered other lunar eclipses that I had viewed over the years and cherished the memories of earlier times. It seems that oftentimes when special skygazing events are happening, there is too much cloud cover to see what is happening. This morning the view was spectacular.
This made me think about our lives and being able to see God working in the world around us. Sometimes our view is as clear as this morning’s sky and we see the evidence of God’s love at every corner. Other times, especially, when our lives are cloudy or we are in the midst of a storm, our view is blurred or blocked by our own anxiety. In those times, does our faith sustain us, or do we ask if the Lord is really with us?
The Israelites were so consumed by the perceived physical needs that they lost sight of their blessings including their release from captivity. God recognized that their physical needs must be met before they would be able to consider their blessings, so he told Moses to strike the rock so that water would flow forth.
God promises to be with us always and to care for us. We must continue to allow the Holy Spirit to transform us into trusting, loving children of God. As we move along our faith journey, we must learn to see God even when our vision is blurred by the clouds and storms. Remember that even when the clouds block the sky, the stars are still there right behind those clouds. God is with us always!
Loving God, Thank You for loving us even when we put you to the test. May we learn to believe and trust in you no matter what challenges we are facing. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God sees my need and will always answer.
Trust God! Pastor Liz
Wow, so beautiful and true! 🙏🏼
So cool!