Soon after leaving Egypt, crossing the Red Sea as by dry land, witnessing God overthrow Pharaoh and his army when they tried to follow them, and having a praise service for the victory (see Exodus 15) they come to the wilderness of Shur; in verses 23-25, finding no water for three days they came to Mara where the water was undrinkable because it was bitter. When the people complained against Moses he in turn “cried out to the Lord” who then showed him a tree, not just any tree, but a specific tree which Moses “cast… into the waters” and they became sweet and drinkable! I believe that tree was a representation of the cross upon which Jesus died. When you walk through the wilderness of this world and find its water bitter, turn to the cross, more specifically to Jesus who drank those bitter waters of death there for you and me, so we could have a supply of fresh living water, life giving water, life sustaining water! When the work of that tree is cast into the stagnation it brings life. Jesus said “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” John 10:10. He also said “the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” John 4:14. Surely when you come to Jesus at the cross you’ll find that living water, and because of what happened on that tree you realize that this living water is a fountain, a continuous supply from which you draw even though the waters of the wilderness of this present world all around you lapping at your feet are bitter!
God’s Supply
By Rose Hill
You don’t have to worry or fret,
If you have a need God can see that it’s met.
Just as Moses in trouble to God did call,
He heard his cry and gave water to all.
He loves you dearly and desires your love,
So talk to him often, your Father above.
He’s very rich so you just have to ask,
To supply your need is no great task.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.