By Ruth Hochstetler, Good Library day circulation manager
Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7 (NRSV)
In this Scripture reference, the Israelites had stopped their journey to make camp. Weary from travel, and longing for a good cool drink to soothe throats dry from desert sun and to relieve mouths of bothersome grit, they searched for water. Unable to find any, their frustration mounts. The longing for water becomes unbearable. They lash out at Moses and demand he meet their need. Understandable, but God finds their behavior offensive. After all the miraculous things God had already provided for them in this journey, they looked to Moses, not to their powerful God, as their source for help. When Moses’ hand was empty, they were ready to kill the one who failed them.
Yet, God gave them the water they longed for.
I have never experienced this kind of thirst, but I know the sting of longings unfulfilled. I’ve tasted the grittiness of rejection when someone failed to include me. My throat has burned from crying for a prayer to be answered. What no person could give me, at times, I still expected it from them. I’ve felt anger when my request was denied.
Yet, God gave me what I longed for.
How sweet the times, when I reached for God’s hand,
When this never failing One, picked me up and held me close.
Even if the fulfillment of my want remained in the mystery of his timing,
God’s presence was enough.
When I became still, God spoke of his love for me,
My face finally lifted, allowed me to see the gift of himself,
The longing of God’s heart for me, for my presence, my love,
God’s presence was enough.
Cease my quarreling and demanding!
Bring me to you, Jesus, the Source where satisfaction is guaranteed,
Where the Lover of my soul gives more than I deserve,
God’s presence is enough.
Yet, God gives me more than what I long for.
Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7 (NRSV)
From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2The people quarreled with Moses, and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” 3But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” 4So Moses cried out to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” 5The Lord said to Moses, “Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”