February 22, 2016
Opening Hymns:
694 Come, Ye Thankful People, Come.
Scripture Reading:
Exodus 17:1-7
17:1 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.
17:2 The people quarreled with Moses, and said, "Give us water to drink." Moses said to them, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?"
17:3 But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, "Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?"
17:4 So Moses cried out to the LORD, "What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me."
17:5 The LORD said to Moses, "Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go.
17:6 I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink." Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.
17:7 He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the LORD, saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?"
Message:
The Israelites are thirsty. They are wandering through the desert, and they need water. It is hard for them to trust that God will provide when they are already thirsty, and no water is in sight. Logic seems to take over, and it is telling them that there is no water around, and they will die of thirst. They turn to their leader, and seem to demand rather than ask for water.
694 Come, Ye Thankful People, Come.
Scripture Reading:
Exodus 17:1-7
17:1 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.
17:2 The people quarreled with Moses, and said, "Give us water to drink." Moses said to them, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?"
17:3 But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, "Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?"
17:4 So Moses cried out to the LORD, "What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me."
17:5 The LORD said to Moses, "Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go.
17:6 I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink." Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.
17:7 He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the LORD, saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?"
Message:
The Israelites are thirsty. They are wandering through the desert, and they need water. It is hard for them to trust that God will provide when they are already thirsty, and no water is in sight. Logic seems to take over, and it is telling them that there is no water around, and they will die of thirst. They turn to their leader, and seem to demand rather than ask for water.
When I was younger it was harder
for me to see how the Israelites were sinning. Is it a sin to want water? There
were mothers with their children there as well. If I had a child with me,
wouldn’t I want to protect them too?
In this scripture it is not so
much what they are asking for, but how they are asking. If only they had prayed
to the Lord, asking and not demanding the water... If only they had trusted in
the Lord who had brought them out of Egypt to bring them safely to the Promised
Land. Indeed, they should have at least said “please”. Instead they demand what
they do not have in a way that makes Moses terrified for his life.
How are you living out your
faith? When you see challenges or troubles do you trust that God will lead you
through? Do you find yourself asking for Gods help, or demanding it? When you
meet challenges with your neighbors, do you treat them as you would want to be
treated? Please and thank you can go a long way!
Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, let us be slow to anger. Deepen our faith so that we may trust fully in You to lead us through every challenge of our lives. Let us treat each other with kindness, and patience. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn
424 Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone? http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh424.sht
Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, let us be slow to anger. Deepen our faith so that we may trust fully in You to lead us through every challenge of our lives. Let us treat each other with kindness, and patience. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn
424 Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone? http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh424.sht
May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.
Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God
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