Exodus 15:22
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.
One of the things I have noticed more than every this year is that life is cyclical. My moods are cyclical. The things that happen to me are cyclical. The behaviors of our children are cyclical. The good days come (or the good hours, or even minutes) and then the bad ones do. The ups, the downs, the twists and turns, they keep coming.
It struck me this morning as I read this verse how quickly things changed. Can you imagine the amazing experience it was to cross the Red Sea? That huge miracle -- watching God intervene in an incredible way --- the waters parting, being saved from death, watching the "horse and the rider thrown into the sea!" They had to have left that feeling that God could do ANYTHING.
Except, the next day, give them water! What a contrast! From miraculous intervention when they faced an uncrossable sea -- to God appearing too inept to give them some water.
And imagine Moses having to lead them!
But the interesting thing about God is that he is all about developing US as people, improving OUR character, and making us like Jesus. Sometimes He does this by intervening miraculously in huge ways -- and other times he lets us go without water for three days. He knows that we learn things about ourselves and about Him during both kinds of seasons in our lives.
So whether you are in the middle of a miracle -- or wandering through a thirsty desert, know these things: God is with us and knows and cares, that He is developing character in you and that if you stick around long enough, things will change.
And keep things in perspective. In the book of your life this whole episode may only take up a verse....
