2023_03_27 Insight Post- Kim Feld

I love Moses’ song of praise in Exodus 15. I can only imagine how full his heart was and how in awe of God he must have been! Praise overflowed from him! He sees the obvious distinction between Yahweh and other gods. Take a look at what Moses says:

¹¹ Who among the gods
is like you, Lord?
Who is like you—
majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory,
working wonders? (Exodus 15: 11, NIV)

As the praise continues, Miriam, identified as a prophet and Aaron’s sister, leads the women in song and dance. The people were jubilant and reveling in the triumph of their God. They had seen first-hand His incredible power and might. From the outside looking in, it seems they would have enough trust in God’s provision to never doubt Him again. Keep reading.

²² Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water.²³ When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) ²⁴ So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” (Exodus 15:22-23, NIV).

All it took was three days and bitter water for them to doubt and complain. After all they had experienced, surely they knew that God would provide for them, right? And yet, three days later, doubt creeps in again. It’s so easy to read stories like this as an outsider and judge and condemn them for their unbelief. Yet, I see the same thing when I look at my own story and history with God. God has done incredible things in my life and poured blessings on me, the most significant being rescuing me from sin and death through Jesus. Yet, it’s so easy for me to doubt, complain, and wonder where God is and why He’s not coming through in the way I think He should.

This year’s Bible reading plan has convicted me deeply about my fears and often lack of faith. As I review my notes from each week’s readings, my answer to the question, “What was revealed about me?” is often about fear, faith, and trust. I know these are areas that God is speaking to me about through His word. I am committed to growing in these areas this year. Is God stirring your heart through our readings and asking you to commit to growth in some area this year?

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13, NIV)