Item for My Testimony Journal

[S] Numbers 33:8-9 --
8  They journeyed from before Hahiroth and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness; and they went three days’ journey in the wilderness of Etham and camped at Marah.  9  They journeyed from Marah and came to Elim; and in Elim there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they camped there.

[O] This chapter of Moses' testimony of how God had led them out of Egypt through the wilderness he records these significant milestones.  He lists next to cross through the Red  Sea, the pitstop via Marah and Elim.  At first this pass-through didn't seem too significant but found out that there is a reason for Moses to record it in his testimony of God's mighty works.  The message of the wood that was thrown into the  bitter water to turn it into sweet water must have been a defining moment for him.  He was faced with grumbling Israelites and when they finally reached the pool of water they couldn't drink it due to its bitterness.  What a let down and a potential discouragement against God -- why did You even lead us here for?  Then the process of God's guiding him carefully to find that wood to throw into the water must have been significant because not only it was just a plain wood, in his mind he must have been thinking how can this be the solution God carefully guided me toward?  I can see how 1 Corinthians 1:18 -- For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God -- applies here because the message of the cross is nothing but foolishness to those who do not understand the true meaning and power behind it.  This wood is that message of the cross.

[A] Whenever I feel like God is asking me to do some "foolishness" thing, I should discern carefully to see if that is an invitation from God to join into His message of the cross.

[P] Dear Father, may my life be filled with the testimonies of Marah experiences where what I think to be foolishness turn into Your amazing saving grace and the message of the Cross shining right through.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.