Massah and Meribah

Deuteronomy 6:16 warns us as did Israel, "Do not put the LORD your God to the test as you did at Massah." (NIV)

We are never to test the Lord as if He needs to prove Himself or His promises to be true. The word of God is true regardless to our condition, experiences or if prayers are answered or delayed.

I've been guilty of complaining and striving in my strength to work things out to my advantage. Often the striving has been out fear that God would not come through for me. All the while I'm testing not trusting Him. And when things fail, I test Him yet again by expecting Him to get me out the mess I made as a result of my disobedience.

We often test the Lord by taking His word in our mouths too lightly. We can quote any number of Scriptures expecting God to come through as if He is at our every whim. God will not be manipulated. But out of mercy He often answers us only to instruct us in the right way of approaching Him with our petitions and needs.

At Massah the Israelites complained for the lack of water. It had been a few weeks since they were liberated from slavery in Egypt having witness the powerful plagues that destroyed the land. They crossed the Red Sea on dry land only to watch the sea devour their enemies. Still they could not believe God to provide water in a waste land.

It says, "Moses named the place Massah (which means "test") and Meribah (which means "arguing") because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the LORD by saying, "Is the LORD here with us or not?"(Exodus 17:7 NLT)

Beloved in the hard and difficult times, let's be mindful that when we doubt or question His presence being with us, we have crossed the line from resting in His word to striving in the flesh. He will never leave us or forsake us. Striving lends itself to arguing. No longer are we trusting but resisting Him.

Let's remember He is the potter and we are the clay. As much as we resist, He too, as the master potter can use a measure of pressure so we conform to His will.

"How terrible it will be for those who argue with the God who made them. They are like a piece of broken pottery among many pieces. The clay does not ask the potter, 'What are you doing?' The thing that is made doesn't say to its maker, 'You have no hands.' (Isaiah 45:9, NCV)