Exodus 17:7
“He named the place Massah and Meribah because of the quarrel of the sons of Israel, and because they tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us, or not?”
Difficulties test our faith. The high pressure reveals the quality of our faith. A test car is pushed to the limit at the race track. The engineers and drivers hope it works to perfection. However, the reason they test it is to see if there are any flaws. They aren’t shocked if there are. The purpose of the test is to bring the flaw to everyone’s awareness.
The Hebrews were in a tough setting. All of the parents felt responsible for their children and other dependants. They may have felt justified in their complaining. It may have gotten even more personal. “I am not a man, or woman, if I don’t speak up.” Or I’m being manly, womanly, by being forceful with my concerns.” The rabble rousers are good at prompting sour attitudes and complaints. We don’t need much prompting to complain. This is dangerous ground. It would have been fine to bring the need to Moses. But to test the Lord and be rude to Moses was wrong.
Difficulties will come. God uses them to mature us. Proverbs 3:11,12 says, “My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof, For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.” The problem is that we usually don’t recognize it as discipline. We think it’s a random circumstance or a mistake of ours that we need to repair. So we frantically work on the fix. We are usually anxious.
How are we to respond? It’s ok to repair it. Nervousness to a degree is fine. Certain levels of emotion help us to be motivated. We need to acknowledge God and commit the issue to Him in prayer. He wants to help us. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray without ceasing.” We are to be in constant communication with Him. He’s always with us. It’s not a formal prayer, but mentally expressing what’s going on and relying on Him.
We should have peace at these times. Phillipians 4:7 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This doesn’t mean we’ve got a braindead grin and we walk casually during the emergency. At the core of us we know God’s in control and He will work it out for the best. There is peace within.
Lord, help us to include You in our tough times. It’s not if, but when these times come, help us to have Your peace and confidence that You will help us to work it out.