Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
Water from a rock? Really?
In our age of assumed enlightenment and intellectual superiority (what we might refer to as ‘scientific self-righteousness’) the miracles recorded in the Bible are often summarily dismissed as mythological, or easily explained away by some natural phenomena unknown to the ancient, uncivilized world and its people. For a good while now, the inherent supernaturalism of Scripture has fallen on hard times, cold hearts, and spiritually deaf ears. However, ours is a thoroughly supernatural faith, and the Bible is the inspired and infallible record of many events that have no explanation other than the sovereign power and work of God. Miracles, then, are essential to the Christian Gospel simply because they are part of God’s self-revelation in history, in Holy Scripture, and in our Lord Jesus Christ!
This Lord’s Day, we will encounter another such miraculous event in the unfolding story of redemption. In Exodus 17:1-7 there is the account of water flowing from a rock, water that quenched the thirst of the entire nation of Israel as they continued their journey in the wilderness. The water the people so desperately needed came to them as a result of Moses carrying out the direct orders of the Lord–“strike the rock and water shall come out of it” (v. 6). When Moses’ “staff,” which the Lord had given to him earlier, struck that inanimate mass of stone (vv. 5-6), it gushed forth streams of living water to the glory of God and the satisfaction of His people. A miracle indeed!
But what does this amazing and miraculous event have to do with us, and why has it been preserved in Scripture?
As you prepare for Sunday’s message, carefully reflect upon this event in the light of two other passages from Scripture. Check out John 4:1-14 and then 1 Corinthians 10:1-14, and I think you’ll begin to make the ‘covenantal connection.’
No Sunday School
And don’t forget that there is no Sunday School beginning this week until we resume on August 9. Our time of Fellowship will be at 10:00 AM, followed by Worship at 10:30 AM.
Have a blessed holiday weekend and I’ll see you Sunday!
I love you all,
Mike