Bible Passage:  Exodus 16-18

Ever since the congregation of the children of Israel set forth on their journey with Moses out of Egypt and into the Wilderness of Sin, lamentations and murmurs were heard time and again. This time, the Israelites complained about water and quarrelled with Moses. Moses, however, understood that the Israelites’ problem was not with him, but with God.

“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?” – Exodus 17:3

The children of Israel were indeed led by God according to His will, but they were currently having a difficult time. In these trying times, what they did was no different from us today. Even though we may be living in God’s will, challenges and trials still exist. Are we going to emulate these Israelites by whining and lamenting about their dire situation? Or are we going to reframe the way we have been perceiving our challenging circumstances?

The first thing that we could possibly do whenever we encounter problems in our lives, is to TRUST GOD. There is nothing further from this truth. Trusting the Lord is the proof of our relationship with Him. Knowing Him and being in His grace gives me the assurance that I will be in good hands. Nothing more, nothing less.

“And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.” – Psalms 9:10

The next thing to do when we face any problem, is to UNDERSTAND ITS PURPOSE. We may be the chosen people of God, just like the Israelites. We may have successfully crossed the Red Sea, and are joyful of how the Lord has saved us from sin and shame. Yet, we must not forget that the journey continues, and along the way, there will be more trials and temptations that await us. There is a purpose behind these challenges, as they are placed there to test our strength so that we can be refined to become more than silver (Isaiah 48:10).

“…the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water, who brought you water out of the flinty rock, who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end.” – Deuteronomy 8:14-16

Last but not least, when we face any problem, FOCUS ON JESUS, not on our problems (Psalms 25:15). Whatever that we focus will become greater. Similarly, when we choose to focus on Jesus, He becomes greater than our problems.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…” – Hebrews 12:1-2

May the peace of the Lord be with you.