Bitter to Sweet

There is a great story in the Book of Exodus about a time when the Israelites were dying of thirst. They come to a location where there is water, but it is bitter that they can’t drink it. When they cry out to God, God shows Moses a simple piece of wood. When Moses threw the wood in the bitter water, it became sweet – and the people could drink! 

Scholar Murray Andrew Pura makes the point that God could have led the people to a new location where the water was better, but he didn’t. God kept the people where they were and he made the bitter water good. Pura writes, “Often we want desperately to change location. If we can just get somewhere else, everything will be all right. Unquestionably, there are times when God has to change our geography… But there are other times when he asks us to trust him to alter what is sour and foul and repugnant to us.”

In your own life, maybe you have felt a need to change jobs,  locations, or relationships. Like the Israelites, I hope that you will commit your situation to prayer. Listen, and allow God to lead. 

Let us pray: You are the God of new beginnings, new life, new possibilities. You are also the God who makes all things new – even us. We trust you with our situations, with our deepest concerns and anxieties. We pray today for guidance. We pray especially for those who long for transformation – from bitter to pure and sweet.  Meet each of us where we are this day; through Jesus Christ. Amen.