Bittersweet | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Bittersweet | Previous Challenge Entry
By Maria Egilsson
07/18/10
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The sound of tinkling tambourines were now a faded memory as the scorching sun beat down upon them as they wandered across the desert sands. Mere days ago their tongues were raised in praise to God who had miraculously opened a path for them across the sea. Now these tongues were swollen from thirst and could no longer sing the song of victory.

From the depths of the sea to the wilderness of Shur they had been led. Three days they had walked with no water in sight. Their cattle were perishing and hope was dying. With lips parched and dry they muttered their discontent.

Ahead they saw the waters of Marah and hearts leapt with expectation. They could taste the coolness of the water that was almost within their reach. Scolded feet quickened their pace as they raced to the water’s edge.

One taste to quench their thirst was all they asked. One taste of the stagnant pool and hope was dashed. The waters were as bitter as gall upon their tongue. Sepia tints of desert sand blurred their hope and dreams were dashed.

How quickly they had forgotten the One who held back the mighty ocean and dried a path through the sea bed so they could walk in freedom. God had brought them to this lonely place of sad regret. These people followed Him but they did not trust Him.

All they could think about was the thirst within them; one taste and their thirst would be quenched. When they should have remembered God’s goodness and providence they focused only on the present trouble. God had brought them here to make Himself known.

This was to be a testing ground of their faith. He was offering them a spiritual tasting of what He was about to promise them. It was there in that bitter place that “the Lord made a decree and a law for them, there he tested them.” Exodus 25:25 (NIV)

Isn’t that what faith is? A taste of what God has promised to us so that in our desert places we are able to hold onto those promises. Faith is spiritual seeing His fingerprints, His leading, upon our lives. This gives us the assurance within that He is faithful and true.

Bitter waters become sweet because of God’s sacrifice upon the tree. Once again our tongues will declare, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.” Psalm 34:8 (NIV)

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