OUR DAILY BREAD : DEC. 18 : DESERT PETE

[cimi]

December 18
Thursday


DESERT PETE

READ:
Exodus 17:7
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The word which they
heard did not profit
them, not being mixed
with faith.
__Hebrews 4:2
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In the 1960's, the Kingston Trio released a song called "Desert Pete."
The ballad tells of a thirsty cowboy who is crossing the desert and finds a hand pump. Next to it, Desert Pete has left a note urging the reader not to drink from the jar hidden there but to use its contents to prime the pump.

The cowboy resists the temptation to drink and uses the water as the note instructs. In reward for his obedience, he receives an abundance of cold, satisfying water. Had he not acted in faith, he would have had only a jar of unsatisfying, warm water to drink.

This reminds me of Israel's journey through the wilderness. When their thirst became overwhelming (Ex. 17:1-7), Moses sought the Lord. He was told to strike the rock of horeb with his staff. Moses believed and obeyed, and water gushed from the stone.

Sadly, Israel would not consistently follow Moses' example of faith. Ultimately, "the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith" (Heb. 4:2).

Sometimes life can seem like an arid desert. But God can quench our spiritual thirst in the most unlikely circumstances. When by faith we believe the promises of God's Word, we can experience rivers of living water and grace for our daily needs. __Dennis Fisher
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`````````Drink deep of God's goodness, his faithfulness too,``````````
```````````````Leave no room for doubting and fear;```````````````
````````````His Word is the water of life pure and true,``````````````
```````````Refreshing and cooling and clear. __Hess```````````````
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Only Jesus, the Living water,
can satisfy our thirst for God.

**************Today Bible Reading __ Exodus 17:1-7**************

1 Then all the congregation
of the children of Israel set
out on their jouney from the
Wilderness of Sin, according
to the commandment of the
LORD, and camped in
Rephidim; but there was no
water for the people to
drink. 2 Therefore the people
contended with Moses, and
said, "Give us water, that we
may drink."

So Moses said to them,
"Why do you contend with
me? Why do you tempt he
LORD?"

3 And the people thirsted
there for water, and the
people complained against
Moses, and said, "Why is it
you have brought us up out
of Egypt, to kill us and our
children and our livestock
with thirst?"

4 So Moses cried out to the
LORD, saying, "What shall I
do with this people? They
are almost ready to stone
me!"

5 And the LORD said to
Moses, "Go on before the
people, and take with you
some of the elders of Israel.
Also take in your hand your
rod with which you struck
the river, and go. 6 Behold, I
will stand before you there
on the rock in Horeb; and
water will come out of it,
that the people may drink."
And Moses did so in the
sight of the elders of Israel.

7 So he caled the name of
the place Massah and
Meribah, because they
tempted the LORD, saying,
"Is the LORD among us or
not?"

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

"The word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed
with faith" (Heb.4:2). The verb translated "mixed" means "to
unite one thing to another." Israel's lack of faith caused the older
generation to miss entering the Promised Land. __Dennis Fisher