Apostolic Life ( Prayer Warriors)'s Post

When They Came to Marah: The Story of a Bitter Experience Turned Sweet by the Lord
The journey of the Israelites in the wilderness was not an easy one. After being freed from slavery in Egypt, they faced numerous challenges and hardships. One of these moments was when they arrived at Marah and found themselves unable to drink the waters due to its bitterness. This experience, however, taught them a valuable lesson and showed them the power of God in turning a bitter situation into something sweet.
The Israelites, led by Moses, had been wandering in the wilderness for three days when they came to Marah. They were exhausted and in desperate need of water. Imagine their disappointment when they found the water at Marah to be undrinkable due to its bitterness. They complained against Moses, asking him, "What shall we drink?" (Exodus 15:24). This is a common reaction when faced with difficult situations – to complain and question why things are not going as planned.
But Moses did something different. He cried out to the Lord, seeking His guidance and help. And the Lord, in His mercy and love, showed Moses a tree. When Moses cast the tree into the waters, the bitter waters were made sweet and drinkable. This miraculous event not only provided the Israelites with water but also taught them a valuable lesson about trusting in the Lord and seeking His help in times of need.
The name Marah itself means "bitter," and it was given to this place because of the experience of the Israelites. But after the Lord's intervention, the waters were no longer bitter, so it was also known as "sweetened." This transformation of the waters also symbolizes the transformation that can happen in our lives when we trust in the Lord and follow His guidance.
But the Lord did not stop there. He used this experience to teach the Israelites an important lesson. He made a statute and an ordinance for them, testing their obedience and faith in Him. He told them, "If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you" (Exodus 15:26).
This verse highlights the power of obedience and faith in the Lord. If the Israelites followed His commands and kept His statutes, they would be protected from the plagues and diseases that the Egyptians had suffered. The Lord wanted to show His people that He was their healer, their protector, and their provider. And He continues to be all these things for us today.
In conclusion, the story of Marah teaches us that even in the midst of bitter experiences, the Lord is with us and can turn things around for our good. He wants us to trust in Him, seek His guidance, and be obedient to His commands. And when we do, He promises to be our healer and protect us from harm. So let us remember the story of Marah and have faith in the Lord who can turn any bitter situation into something sweet.
By: Apostolic Life via Apostolic Life ( Prayer Warriors)

Apostolic Life ( Prayer Warriors)'s Post

In the book of Mark, we find a powerful example of the compassion and grace of Jesus in action. In chapter 6, we see Jesus faced with a multitude of people who were hungry and in need of food. With only five loaves of bread and two fish, it would have been easy for Jesus to feel overwhelmed and resentful at the demands of the people. After all, He was human too and had every right to feel pressured and burdened by their needs.

But how did Jesus respond in this situation?

He did something that we can all learn from – He looked up to heaven. In verse 41, it says, “When He had taken the five loaves and two fish, He looked up to heaven.” This simple action has profound meaning and lessons that we can apply to our own lives.

Firstly, by looking up to heaven, Jesus reminded himself of God’s perspective. The phrase “looked up” signifies not just a physical action but also a spiritual one. It means to recover sight that was lost, as we see in Luke 4:18 where Jesus says, “He has sent me to proclaim recovery of sight to the blind.” By looking up to heaven, Jesus was reminding himself of the bigger picture – that God’s perspective is not limited by earthly circumstances.

Moreover, heaven is a place of abundance, where there is no lack or pressure. By looking up to heaven, Jesus was reaffirming His faith in God’s provision and His ability to bring heaven’s resources into earth’s lack. This is a powerful lesson for us, especially in times of need or pressure. Instead of being consumed by the demands and pressures of the world, we are called to look up to God and trust in His abundance.

Secondly, Jesus focused on God’s goodness and love. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.” This is the heart of the Gospel – that God loves us and desires to bless us. By looking up to heaven, Jesus was reminding Himself of God’s love and goodness. In doing so, He was able to shift His focus from the problem to the solution, from the negative to the positive.
This is a vital lesson for us as well. Whatever we focus upon grows greater in our lives. If we focus on the negatives, they will hold us captive and consume our hearts. But if we choose to focus on the glorious person of God – who He is and His love for us – we will experience a transformation in our perspective and attitudes.
Finally, we see Jesus bringing heaven to earth through His actions. He took the five loaves and two fish, looked up to heaven, blessed them, and multiplied them to feed thousands of people. This is a beautiful picture of how we are called to live as Christians – to bring heaven’s provision to earth, to speak blessings, and to be instruments of God’s love and goodness.

In conclusion, the example of Jesus in Mark 6:41 teaches us valuable lessons about looking up to God in times of pressure and need. It reminds us to open our eyes to God’s perspective, to focus on His goodness and love, and to bring heaven to earth through our actions and words. So the next time you feel overwhelmed by the demands and pressures of life, remember to “look up” and see things from God’s perspective.
By: Apostolic Life via Apostolic Life ( Prayer Warriors)