12th. May. 2021. Daily Devotion.
Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they travelled in the desert without finding water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah. 24 So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, ‘What are we to drink?’
25 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink.
There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test. 26 He said, ‘If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.’
27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water. Exodus 15:22-27
More Trees
The Israelites were now delivered from slavery in Egypt, and God was leading them through a dry desert. The first water they discovered wasn’t drinkable until God used a piece of wood, thrown in by Moses, to take away the bitterness.
Then eventually they came to Elim, which means “large trees”—a place of 70 palm trees growing by 12 springs of water. These palms and springs represented the fullness of God’s blessing for all his people after a long, hard journey. In the Bible, the numbers 7 and 10 often signify fullness and completion, and we can see that 70= 7×10. Further, the number 12 represents all of God’s people, because Israel was made up of 12 tribes, all descended from the 12 sons of Jacob (Israel).
Elim was therefore a place indicating the reliability of God’s promises. In the water that refreshed and sustained them, the people could literally taste the sweetness of God’s promised care. And in the cooling shade of the palm trees the people found rest and soothing protection from the harsh, desert sun. All of this pointed ahead to abundant blessings still to come in the great unfolding story of God’s faithfulness.
Lord God, you are our deliverer and provider, our strength and song. You are our God, and we praise and exalt you. In your name we pray. Amen. ~ JP Vanderveen.
Prayer for the Armour of Light
The night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let me then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light.
Most merciful Father, I pray you, for your mercy’s sake, continue your grace and favour towards me today; let the sun of your gospel never go down out of my heart; let your truth live in and be established with me, and among all of us, forever. Help my unbelief, increase my faith, give me a heart to consider the time of my visitation. In faith clothe me with Christ, that he may live in me, and your name may be glorified in me, in the sight of all the world. Amen.
Time of Trial
Lord show me how to be strong and patient in this time of difficulty.
We have been challenged to live separated from our loved ones.
We are asked to sacrifice our freedom to move around as we might like.
We remember that in your time of trial you were separated from your loved ones.
But you showed what it means to love during a time of trial.
Help us to accept this time of separation that we might come closer to our loved ones. May we love as you loved on your lonely way to Calvary. Amen.
Prayer for Joy
Father, in a world where there are so many difficult situations, troubled times and hurting hearts, we lift up those that are going through grievous times and entrust them into Your care. We pray that You will sustain them with Your sufficient strength and pour into their hearts the joy that only comes from You.
Thank You, that the joy of the Lord is our strength and that You have promised that Your grace is sufficient for all eventualities. Keep us all with our hearts fixed on You and instil in our hearts a joyful disposition so that we may bring comfort and cheer to those around us and be salt and light to those that are facing troubles or difficulties. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
