God’s kindness flows even when we rebel.

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I wonder if this stream, pouring out of the mountains, looks like the water that flowed out of the rock at Meribah in Numbers 20. You might remember the story. The people complain to Moses about their situation.

Blue Lakes Reservoir, Colorado. Little did we know that the following week would bring severe flooding to Colorado.

“Why…why…why have you made us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place?” (Exodus 20:5 ESV)

God tells Moses to SPEAK to the rock, but Moses BEATS the rock twice with his rod. His disobedience cost him dearly. He would not enter the Promised Land with the rest of the people of Israel (Exodus 20:12)

So what did God do to the people because of the failure of their leader? Did he withhold water from them? No. The Bible says that “water came out abundantly” for the people to drink.

“Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,
at the presence of the God of Jacob.
He turned the rock into a pool of water; yes,
a spring of water flowed from solid rock.”
Psalm 114:7 New Living Translation

This is what grace is all about. Yes there were consequences for Moses’ disobedience, but there was still mercy for the stiff necked people, a people who were constantly complaining against God.

You are I are recipients of God’s abundant waters of mercy even though we, too, have been disobedient. The water of God’s mercy flows from Christ’s cross where he was struck with nails and hammer. It is from this undeserved spring of God’s love that we drink…and we drink deeply.

God offers you this water today even if you’re angry, depressed or apathetic. His water quenches your thirst.

Text and Picture Copyright Douglas P Brauner