July 26, 2020 | Matt Ware

Podcast | Spotify

Everyone goes through wilderness seasons in their lives, but MOSES was a wilderness expert! From 40 years alone in one wilderness to 40 years of leading Israel through another, his story shows us the power of the journey through the wilderness; it shapes us, develops us and forms us into the people God has called us to be. A look at the life of MOSES reveals that the wilderness isn’t something we just endure; it’s something we can embrace!

Water in the Wilderness

Isaiah 43:18-21 (ESV) Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert … for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, 21 the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.

Philippians 4:19 (ESV) And my God will supply EVERY need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

2 Peter 1:3 (ESV) His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.

1. God turns the BAD into GOOD

Exodus 15:22 (ESV) Then Moses made Israel set out from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the wilderness and found no water.

Exodus 15:23 (ESV) When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter.

Exodus 15:24-25 (ESV) And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” 25 And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet.

Genesis 50:20 (ESV) you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.

Romans 8:28 (NKJV) all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

2. God turns NOTHING into SOMETHING

Exodus 17:1-2 (ESV) All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?”

Exodus 17:5-6 (ESV) the Lord said to Moses … you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.”

Romans 4:17 (NKJV) calls those things which do not exist as though they did.

Exodus 17:7 (ESV) And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

Matthew 6:31-33 (ESV) Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.