Spirit and Life Devotional is a daily publication by Pastor Chinaemerem Ibezim, senior pastor of Able Ministers Chapel, a church based in Calabar, Cross River State.
[pull_quote_center]”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[/pull_quote_center]
Firstly, the Bible says that the Israelites moved from place to place at the Lord’s command. Meaning that, they camped at Rephidim by the Lord’s command. Yet the Bible says that there was no water there. And because there was no water, the Israelites doubted that God was with them. They assumed that if God was with them, there would be no lack, or any issues at all. That’s what we think too. Right?
Didn’t the Lord know that there was no water there? Of course He did. So why did He lead them there? He was testing them. Moses later said to the Israelites, “Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands.” Deuteronomy 8:2.
Does God still test people? Yes. It’s His nature. He did it severally in the Old Testament, and even Jesus tested the disciples.
Things may not be well for a while even where God sent you to: that’s not the time to grumble; God might be testing your faith, character and attitude. I pray you pass all your tests. Amen.
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