“For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. O that today you would listen to his voice.”

God had just done incredible things for Israel. He had broken Pharaoh’s grip and allowed them to escape. In miraculous fashion he parted the Red Sea so they could pass thru. Yet now they found themselves in the wilderness, hungry and thirsty. “God, where are you?” they started to cry. In Exodus 17 we read, “Why dd you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?”

Moses made a good move and consulted with God. He said, “God, look, these people are ready to stone me. What should I do?” Note to leaders: when you are facing opposition, a great move is always to go to God privately and ask, “What should I do?” He’ll tell you!

God told Moses to go ahead to Mt. Horeb with a few of his elders and strike a rock there. Water would come out of it. Moses did what God said, the water came, and the problem was resolved, at least for the moment. Moses decided to call the place “Massah and Meribah” or “quarreling and testing”.

How short our memories can be! God wants us to REMEMBER what he’s done for us in the past and to navigate our present circumstances with that in mind. Have you been at points in your life where you’ve asked, “God where are you?” Where was he here? He was preparing his people for the Promised Land. Granted, that involved some discomfort, but it was for their good.

So we have a choice. We can keep asking, “God, where are you?” Or we can ask a better question, “God, what do you have for me in this, and how can I bring you glory and honor as I traverse this wilderness?” Oh that today we would listen to his voice!