March 14, 2017
Opening Hymns:
Spirit of God Descend Upon My Heart: http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh500.sht
Spirit of God Descend Upon My Heart: http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh500.sht
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:
This scripture can be a challenging. I kind of don’t want to blame the Israelites for being concerned about not having water. Water is need for us to live. Why have they sinned by being afraid of their limited water supply? It is good for us to take care of ourselves, and to give ourselves the things that we need to continue on in life. Taking care of ourselves ensures that we are able to then help others. So where did they go wrong?
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:
This scripture can be a challenging. I kind of don’t want to blame the Israelites for being concerned about not having water. Water is need for us to live. Why have they sinned by being afraid of their limited water supply? It is good for us to take care of ourselves, and to give ourselves the things that we need to continue on in life. Taking care of ourselves ensures that we are able to then help others. So where did they go wrong?
The Israelites have seen a lot
at this point in the scripture. They saw God use His plagues and wonders to
free them from Egypt. They have seen Moses glowing after speaking with God.
Manna falls from the sky to sustain them. It is after all these wonders that
they still continue to question and doubt. Even more than doubt, they become
angry at God and Moses for putting them in the situation that they are in.
This scripture is not teaching
us to ignore our own needs. Instead, it teaches us to trust in the Lord. He
provides for us in our times of need. Like the Israelites we might be short
sighted… we may doubt that the Lord will help us through the next challenge we
face. We could forget all that the Lord has done for us in the past. This
scripture is here to remind us that God provides, even when we doubt.
Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for being with us through all of our challenges. Thank you for providing for us, even during the times that we doubt. Strengthen our hearts so that we can have faith during the difficult times. Let us lend a hand when others are going through challenges of their own. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn
My Hope is Built: http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh368.sht
Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for being with us through all of our challenges. Thank you for providing for us, even during the times that we doubt. Strengthen our hearts so that we can have faith during the difficult times. Let us lend a hand when others are going through challenges of their own. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn
My Hope is Built: http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh368.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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