Exodus 15:22-27 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness… I. "They could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter" — so THE GREATEST TRIUMPHS OF LIFE MAY BE SUCCEEDED BY THE MOST VEXATIOUS INCONVENIENCES. You may be right, even when the heaviest trial is oppressing you. You may be losing your property, your health may be sinking, your prospects may be clouded, and your friends may be leaving you one by one, yet in the midst of such disasters your heart may be stedfast in faithfulness to God. II. "The people murmured against Moses" — so THE GREATEST SERVICES OF LIFE ARE SOON FORGOTTEN. III. "And Moses cried unto the Lord"! — So MAGNANIMOUS PRAYER IS BETTER THAN OFFICIAL RESIGNATION. All great leaderships should be intensely religious, or they will assuredly fail in the patience without which no strength can be complete. Parents, instead of resigning the oversight of your children, pray for them! Pastors, instead of resigning your official positions, pray for those who despitefully use you! All who in anywise seek to defend the weak, or lead the blind or teach the ignorant, instead of being driven off by every unreasonable murmuring, renew your patience by waiting upon God! IV. "And the Lord showed him a tree" — so WHERE THERE IS A BANE IN LIFE THERE IS ALWAYS AN ANTIDOTE. (J. Parker, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. |
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