Focus

Let your soul take a moment of rest as you hear God’s word. Put your busy schedule, wandering mind, stressful thoughts, and burdened heart at the feet of the cross and open up to God’s voice as the Giver of Life tends to your soul.

---

Read

Exodus 17:1-7 (NRSV)

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. 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?” 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?” So Moses cried out to the LORD, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” 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. 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. He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”

---

Reflect

The beauty of stories of faith is to hear how God is present in the midst of tragic circumstances. People of faith often are able to recognize how God has helped them through life. People of faith may grumble at times, but as they reflect on how God has blessed, supported, and poured out grace on them, that grumbling usually turns into praise.

I have wondered where God was during certain life events. That wondering has helped me to be on the lookout for what God was doing in my life through others. That wondering and asking also perked up my ears to listen for God’s word to me.

One day, in the midst of a certain situation, I asked God to show me a sign to let me know what to do. God spoke to me through others. These people spoke words of life into me. They could not have known my soul was thirsty for the water they provided. They were inspired and moved by God to speak a good word at just the right time. I am grateful they listened and acted! It felt a little like water from a rock.

---

Pray

Loving God, thank you for providing water from rocks when we are thirsty. Thank you for being with us and among us, never leaving us or forsaking us. We have peace because you are with us. We thank you for the miraculous ways you provide for us. Thank you for helping us to see you with us and hear your word to us. Amen.

Go with God.