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When they came to Marah, they couldn't drink from the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore its name was called Marah. The people murmured against Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?" Then he cried to Yahweh. Yahweh showed him a tree, and he threw it into the waters, and the waters were made sweet. There he made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there he tested them. He said, "If you will diligently listen to Yahweh your God's voice, and will do that which is right in his eyes, and will pay attention to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I am Yahweh who heals you." They came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees. They encamped there by the waters. Exodus 15:23-27 WEB.

When they arrived at Marah, the Israelites had been traveling for three days through a desert wasteland. The water at Marah was bitter (poisoned), and they could not drink it. Thirsty and without water, the camp soon began to grumble against Moses. After Moses prayed, the Lord showed him a tree that he threw into the water, and it became sweet.

After the bitter water of Mara, their very next stop was Elim, where there were twelve springs of water. An abundance of water. More than they needed. There was a spring for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. There were also seventy palm trees so they could rest in the shade. They had found an oasis in the desert.

Their test this time was no water in sight, but their breakthrough was right around the corner. The next trial the Israelites faced was no food in sight, though an abundance was just around the corner. Do you see the pattern? Each time they were near their breaking point, they were right before breaking through with an abundance.

So don't give up when what you need is not in sight; it is just a test of your faith. Each time you are close to a breakthrough, you will be given a chance to trust God or to murmur and complain. The pressure comes on strong when all you need is just around the next corner.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know You love me and that you will provide for me. Please help me to be strong in the face of adversity and to learn to trust You. Cover me with Your peace and guide me by Your Holy Spirit today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: If you are interested in joining any of our small groups, we would love to see you! To find out more, just click on the group name and then the join link on the page that will follow. As always, if you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network.