FROM DISAPPOINTMENT TO BLESSING
Rev. Joey Crisostomo
Director for Central Operations
May 30, 2010
Key Scripture
Exodus 15: 21-27
“22 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur.
For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water.
23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter
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 sweet.
A BRIEF INTRODUCTION
– Remember, what happened to Israel is to serve as an example to us (1 Cor. 10:11).
– In this passage, Israel is fresh from a great spiritual victory. They have witnessed God destroying their enemies in the depths of the Red Sea.
– Now, THREE days later, they are faced with a trial. After 3 days with no water, they come to a place called Marah
> The people went from rejoicing to complaining.
> The wilderness is meant to test our faith.
> God test us in the everyday experiences of life.
> We must learn to seize the opportunity to grow from the experiences.
THE PROBLEM… (v.22)“ Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water.”
– They expect everything to go well.
– They experience the opposite of what they were promised.
– The trial came in the path of God’s leading.
– They did not understand their greatest miracles are only seen when His people came to the end of their own abilities.
THE DISAPPOINMENT… (v.23)When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.)
Disappointment – The non fulfillment of one’s hope .Unhappiness caused by the failure of one’s hopes, desires, or expectations: discontent, discontentment, disgruntlement, dissatisfaction, letdown, regret
Why do we Experience Disappointments?
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People let us down
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Circumstances let us down
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The results of our own action
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We don’t understand God
Lessons can we learn from life’s disappointment?
1. DISAPPOINTMENT CAN BE A TEST:
To see what’s in our heart.
2. DISAPPOINTMENT CAN BE AN OPPORTUNITY:
Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity
3. DISAPPOINTMENT CAN BE A STEPPING STONE:
To something better not bitter.
THE RESPONSE… (v.24)So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”
– Four Common Responses
1. Complain
2. Anger
3. Bitterness
4. Withdrawal
– Life is like a giant laboratory. Every experience, whether good or bad, x-rays our heart and reveals us exactly as we are.
– Every situation in life serves as ministry of the Lord to us. He uses all the times of life to shape us in His image
THE PURIFICATION… (v.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 sweet.
– Moses also faced a situation for which he had no answers, but he knew who did. Fervently he cried out to God, and God showed him what to do.
– The LORD showed him a Tree. The Tree had made the water sweet.
– God knew what they would face at Marah. Nothing in your life takes God by surprise! He is already in tomorrow and He knows what you will face when you get there.
– God, in His wisdom, had already prepared that tree for the meeting of their need. When they arrived, He was ready. He manifested His power and they got what they needed from the Lord.
THE PROMISE… 26 He said, “If you listen carefully to the voice of 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 1 brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.
– A new Revelation of God’s Name: now He is Jehovah Raphah, the Lord who heals
– But God offers the real key to health; it’s called obedience.
– This principle still holds true today