“So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter; thus it was named Marah (Bitterness). So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, what shall we drink?” (vv.22-24)
It must have seemed like a cruel joke – after three days without water, they finally came upon it – but found the water undrinkable. This led to bitter thinking by God's people, but not so with Moses. It has been said of this experience, that God was not only interested in getting the children of Israel out of Egypt, but He also wanted to get Egypt out of the children of Israel – both physically and spiritually. And so this test of their faith.
While the people spoke angry words, grumbled and complained – Moses prayed, and through that faithful prayer (in the presents of unbelief by the people), God showed Moses a tree (v.24). When Moses cast the tree into the waters, the waters were made sweet (v.25). And so another a miracle was manifested once again before their unbelieving eyes.
This should speak volumes to us, that whenever bitterness enters our lives we should not complain but pray, and believe that God will hear and answer our prayers.
The Truth: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:12-14)
