“Sweet Out Of Bitter!”

“Sweet Out Of Bitter!”(Ex.15:22-27).
My teacher in Pastoralia often said there are some people who grumble over everything. Give a grumbler an elephant and he will grumble that the elephant is too big. Give him a squirrel and he will grumble that a squirrel is too small. A grumbler hardly appreciates the good in anything.
The exodus from Egypt was a demonstration of God’s love towards Israel. However, no sooner had they left Egypt, they started grumbling against Moses – which was indeed grumbling against the LORD.
Faced with the Red Sea and closely pursued by Pharaoh and his army they accused Moses for bringing them to die in the desert where there were no graves(Ex.14:10-13).
Soon after, they travelled for three days in the desert and found no water to drink. Then they found water at Marah but could not drink the water because it was bitter. Again, they grumbled against Moses, and Moses cried out to the LORD. The LORD showed Moses a piece of wood, which he threw into the water, and it became sweet and drinkable. We may say that their grumbling finally paid off. That would be a lame argument because God often makes it tougher before making it lighter.
Yesterday, our message was that when we do what Jesus asks us to do, he will turn our water into the best wine.
Today, the message is that the LORD can make what is bitter to become sweet.
There is nothing the LORD cannot do to reveal his glory to those he loves and who do what he commands.
After making sweet the bitter water of Marah, the LORD made this timeless decree and law; that holds true for us too: “If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.”
The LORD is our healer and way-maker who does not share his glory with anybody. He has revealed his glory through his Son in whom he is well pleased. Listen to them and your bitter water will be made sweet.
Prayer of the day: Holy Spirit prompt us daily to listen carefully to the voice of the LORD and do what is right in his eyes. Amen!
Welcome back to a new working day and week! Have a blessed working day and week! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
27/01/2025.