Never Forget Where God Provided

Introduction

Who remembers the story of the Israelites last week?

What sea did they just cross over? - Red Sea

How many days in the Wilderness? - 3 Days

What were they in need of? - Water

What was up with the water when they found it? - Bitter

What did the people do and to who? Complain to Moses

What did Moses do to the water? put a log in it

Under who’s direction? God

What was the promise God gave to them? Exodus 15:26 “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.”

In chapter 16, we read about the Israelites complaining about food. One of their repeated statements is “Why did you bring us from Egypt, to kill us?” Talk about dramatic! I understand being concerned about food and water, but to make a strong accusation that Moses brought them there to kill them?

This reminds of a time back in 8th or 9th grade; helping with the volleyball team at my school...

From last weeks passage to this one, we see that the Israelites are complainers, dramatic, unable to trust God. So whats the life lesson for us this week? NEVER FORGET WHERE GOD PROVIDED.

Lets read Exodus 17:1–7 Exodus 17:1–7 All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink.

2 Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?”

3 But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?”

4 So Moses cried to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.”

5 And the Lord said to Moses, “Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go.

6 Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.

7 And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

Does this sound familiar to any of you? Its almost like we were talking about a similar story exactly 1 week ago and recapping a similar story 5 minutes ago. Even though this is a similar story, God provides a different life lesson!

I want to share a few observations of how the Israelites forgot where God provided. Knowing how the Israelites forgot, we learn from them so that we never forget where God provided.

Demand Services from Other Sources (vs. 2)

Do you see how the Israelites responded? They went to Moses demanding services - “Give us water to drink!” I find two problems with this statement that we should be aware of to ensure that we do not follow in a similar trap.

Who are they demanding services from? Moses was never the one who provided for them. He did not give them their freedom from bondage. He did not provide them pleasant tasting water. He did not provide them manna from Heaven. He was not the source of these services. Moses was simply the spokesman.

This brings us to ask, “What source are you asking to fulfill your service?” Who are you reaching out to for advice? Who do you look at to model your life after? If you want a tangible tool to what service you are demanding services from, evaluate where your time is spent.

I am huge fan of all Apple Products. I would love to own every product Apple has. The sources that I watch and read provide services that tell me Apple is the best product! Some of our Android users in the room might read and watch sources that provide services that tell them Android is the best product. The services these sources provide show us what is the “best product.”

What service is Social Media providing for you? What service is your phone providing for you? What service is your friend providing for you? What service is your relationship providing for you?

We seek so much from the world around us: satisfaction, approval, love, confirmation. We forget the God in heaven, who is the ultimate SOURCE will provide every SERVICE we need. Do you want to never forget where God has provided? Ask for your services to be provided from the MAIN SOURCE - Jesus!

Failure to Trust God in Every Situation (vs. 4)

What a dramatic statement made by the Israelites! They accused Moses of bringing the people out of Egypt to kill them, their kids, and their animals. The people failed to trust Moses, more importantly they failed to trust God. Not only was it them but loos at verse 4, the word choice of the passage lets us know that Moses was also struggling to trust God. Moses was worried about His chances with the Israelites. His worry with the people was greater than His focus to seek Christ.

Our trust in Christ cannot be determined by the comfort of a circumstance. Despite the easiness or the extremeness, we must trust Christ with everything. Trust Christ before tests come. Trust Christ when tests comes. Trust Christ after going through tests. Always trust Christ! Want to know the ratio of times you can trust Christ verses when you cant? INFINite to ZERO!

Do you want to never forget where God has provided? Trust God in every situation!

Unrepentant Heart (vs. 7)

This is my favorite point of the night because it one I always need to be reminded of and I believe it is the same for others. An unrepentant heart is an easy way to forget where God has provided. Look at the last statement of verse 7: “because they tested the Lord by saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?” God proved His faithfulness and provision before they left Egypt and since they left Egypt. Not only did God prove this but He also convicted the people of their unrepentant heart.

Might be wondering, “how were the Jews unrepentant?” They failed to remain faithful to God and trust Him. What we know about repentance is in the Bible, the word repent means “to change one’s mind.” The Bible also tells us that true repentance will result in a change of actions.

Luke 3:12–14 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.””

Acts 3:19 “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,”

Have you truly repented from the sins in your life? Have you asked for forgiveness? Have you asked God to give you strength so that you never turn to that sin again. Here is the warning for you: If you fail to repent of the sin in your life, you have the same heart of the Israelites when they said, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

The question of the Israelites is very similar to this practical example: When your mom or dad is cooking in the kitchen to prepare dinner and you ask, “Are we going to have any dinner tonight?” Imagine how you parents would react if you said that. Imagine the heart of God when the unrepentant heart said to God, “Is God even among us?”

“Repent today. Tomorrow you will have more sin to repent of and less to repent in.” -Adrian Rogers

Closing

Remarkable Miracle

Generous Miracle

Meaningful Miracle - in striking the rock with his staff, Moses foreshadowed the greatest point in all of history. Look at 1 Corinthians 10:4 “and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.” We do not know for sure that Paul is referencing this moment, but we do know that when Jesus was struck water flowed from Him. A heavenly transaction was made between the Father and Jesus. Eternal was secured for those who put their faith in Christ.

Moses didn’t know that this act of obedience was a foreshadow of the greatest point in history! Jesus was beaten and bruised, tortured, hung on a cross, crown of thorns pierced into His skull, struck on His side with a spear - water and blood flowed from Him. Throughout of all history, God showed little hints about Jesus sacrifice on the cross. Since His death on the cross, God has used faithful believers to proclaim Christ’s great work.

Never forget where God has provided! The greatest of God’s provision was Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross - God provided eternal life for you!

God provided forgiveness for you

God provided a plan for your life.