Test of Faith

Exodus 15:22-27

New International Version (NIV)

The Waters of Marah and Elim

22 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.[a]) 24 So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”
25 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink.
There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test. 26 He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”
27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.


"This test of faith is intended to reveal a new facet of God's gracious provision. And it does. God discloses to His people a new name: ' I am the Lord, who heals you' (v.26). What new aspects of God's nature might we discover if we trusted and travelled with more faith? The journey which God's people have embarked on is not simply to the promised land but deeper into the promises of God. How will God reveal Himself to you today?" - Selwyn Hughes