Just Ask Me

    Have you ever gone from singing God's praises one day to complaining about something you have, don't have, or have and don't like the next day? If so, you are in good company. The Israelites have experienced the miracle of walking across the Red Sea, on dry land, while great walls of water are on both sides of them. Now, safely on the other side, after watching God wipe out Pharaoh's massive army, they are singing a song of praise to God, "Who among the gods is like you, LORD? Who is like you--majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?" (Exodus 15:11). 

    The song is several stanzas and full of awe at God's power and might. Skip to three days later and this scenario unfolds, "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. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, 'What are we to drink?'" (Exodus 15:22-24). 

    So has God in just three days quit being the One who works wonders? I think not, but let's not forget that these mere humans have the sin of Adam in their very souls, not unlike ourselves. Eve, if you recall, was enticed by the devil to find complaints about the Garden of Eden! Of all the places to find fault with, yet we are fallen and now are susceptible to Satan's whispering in our ears, "Oh, that was fabulous, but do you think that it's going to last? No, you just wait, things are going to fall apart and then where will you be?" Have you heard similar words just after a wonderful victory, success, or joyous event? Be wary of who's got your ear. 

    Once Moses brought the issue to God he took care of it with a simple toss of a branch into the water to remove the "Marah" bitter water and make it drinkable (Ex.15:25). He goes on to tell them, "...if you pay attention to his [the LORD your God's] 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" (v. 26). 

    And finally, the proverbial "cherry on top" occurs in Exodus 15:27, "Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water." Now that is just God showing off! I think He was making a point with the Israelites, "Just ask me, don't complain, just make your requests known to me and I will give you more than you ever even thought to ask of me." 

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.