Day 4 (Marah, Amalekites, Mt. Sinai (Mt. Horub)):

SIGHT DEVOTIONALS: Marah, Mt. Sinai (Mt. Horub)):

Morning Devotional:

Theme - God Always Keeps His Promises Scripture- 1Kings 8:5-6

About 480 years after the exodus of Israel happened King Solomon finally but a permanent temple where the Ark of the Covenant would be placed and in 1 Kings eight we read the account of the dedication of the ark being brought to the temple Listen to the words of 1 Kings 8:5-6 “ "Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses."

The Entire book of Exodus tells the story of how God rescued the Israelites from their slavery in Egypt and led them to the Promised Land.

Throughout this narrative, we see God's faithfulness in keeping His promises to His people.

God had promised Abraham that his descendants would become a great nation and inherit the land of Canaan, But God also told Abram in Genesis 15:13-14

that His descendants would be sojourners in a land that was not their own and will be afflicted slaves while they are there, but God told Abraham that after 400 years of slavery He would deliver them and lead them into the Land that God Promised that they would posses.

Can you image- Going through four hundred years of slavery in a land that wasn’t your own. Exodus 1 Tells us that they cried out to God and He heard them, He had not forgotten them, They were right in the middle of His sovereign plan.

Despite the Israelites' slavery and oppression in Egypt, God did not forget His promise He made to Abraham over 600 hundred years earlier. He raised up a leader named Moses to lead His people out of bondage and towards the Promised Land.

During their journey, the Israelites faced many challenges and obstacles. Their persecution in Egypt grew even greater to the point that the Pharaoh had no other option but to let them go. In the dessert they got hundred and thirsty and tired, and the Bible tells us that They grumbled, & rebelled against God, and it says that they even worshipped other gods after He delivered them miraculously from the oppression of Slavery.

Even in the midst of the people’s unfaithfulness, God still remained faithful to His promise. A promise to guide and provide for them. God Never left their side- He led them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. He provided them with food, water, and protection.

About 480 years after the exodus of Israel happened King Solomon finally but a permanent temple where the Ark of the Covenant would be placed and in 1 Kings eight we read the account of the dedication of the ark being brought to the temple Listen to the words of 1 Kings 8:5-6 “ "Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses."

Today we are going through the wilderness that this estimated 1 million Israelites journeyed through to Get to the Promised Land. In fact because of their rebellion against God after he rescued them, They had to live in this desert for 40 years,

As we reflect on the story of the Exodus today in our journeys, I want us to remember that God always keeps His promises. He is a faithful God who never forgets His people or His word. This should give us hope and confidence in our own lives today, We can know and trust in God's promises and We can rely on His faithfulness.

Will you join me in prayer for our day as we tour the Land of Egypt together

Pray

Devotional: (Marah)

Theme - Finding Sweetness in the Bitter Waters of Marah

Scripture- Exodus 15:22-26

Why does the story of Marah matter for us today in 2023?

"When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, 'What are we to drink?' Then Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink."

:

Life is often a journey filled with unexpected twists and turns. Sometimes, we find ourselves standing at the shores of Marah, facing bitter waters that leave us thirsting for relief.

Marah represents those difficult seasons we encounter, the moments when the circumstances of life become overwhelming, and the bitterness of sin threatens to overshadow the goodness of God. But even in the midst of our trials, we can discover valuable lessons and experience God's transforming power.

In the biblical account of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, they faced various challenges, and Marah was one of them.

The people were tired, thirsty, and desperately needed water. However, when they finally arrived at Marah, the water they found was bitter, unfit for consumption.

Frustration and disappointment crept into their hearts, and they grumbled against their leader, Moses.

Yet, in the face of adversity, Moses did something remarkable—he cried out to the Lord. He turned to God in the midst of the people's complaints and sought His intervention.

In response, the Lord showed Moses a piece of wood and instructed him to throw it into the water. Miraculously, the bitter waters became sweet and refreshing.

Marah teaches us that when we face bitterness and disappointment, we too have a choice.

We can either grumble and complain or turn to God with our concerns and trust Him to bring about a transformation.

Just as God showed Moses a piece of wood to sweeten the water, He has provided us with His Word, His promises, and His presence to transform the bitterness in our lives.

We beef to remember that God is not unaware of our struggles. He sees our pain, hears our cries, and longs to intervene on our behalf. Our Heavenly Father invites us to bring our burdens to Him and seek His guidance and provision. He is the one who can turn our bitterness into sweetness, our despair into hope, and our trials into testimonies.

In our journey through life, we will encounter our own Marahs. These bitter moments can test our faith, but they also present an opportunity for God to work in us and through us.

I love the words of the apostle James

James 1:2-3 “2 My brothers and sisters,[a] consider it nothing but joy[b] when you fall into all sorts of trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance”

When we find ourselves in a Marah situation in life instead in turning inward at our struggles and grumbling about our circumstances we should call out to God earnestly, He is the one who can bring beauty from ashes, sweetness from bitterness, and contentment from frustration.

So, let us choose to trust in the sovereign God in every circumstance. When we face the bitter waters of Marah, let us not grumble or become discouraged. Instead, let us turn our hearts toward the One who has the power to transform our circumstances and bring sweetness into our lives.because it is only In Him, we can find true hope, healing, and the strength to persevere.

Pray

Site Devotional: (Mt/ Sinai)

Theme - Bless the Lord Oh my Soul

Scripture-Psalms 103

Intro: What a place for us to sit and praise our God. We are here on top the mountain where God gave mankind the 10 commandments.

Open- Have people share testimonies of what God has done in your life.

Read Psalm 103

Psalm 103 ESV

Of David. 1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5 who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 6 The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. 7 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. 8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9 He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. 10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. 13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. 14 For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; 16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. 17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, 18 to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. 19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. 20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! 21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! 22 Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!

As far as the east is from the west so our sins are forgiven.

We sit here on top a holy mountain that reminds us we need Gods forgivness in our lives because there is no way we could ever keep Gods law perfectly.

Song of Praise: How Great thou art

Pray