“At the Lord’s command, the whole community of Israel left the wilderness of Sin and moved from place to place. Eventually they camped at Rephidim, but there was no water there for the people to drink. So once more the people complained against Moses. “Give us water to drink!” they demanded. “Quiet!” Moses replied. “Why are you complaining against me? And why are you testing the Lord?” But tormented by thirst, they continued to argue with Moses. “Why did you bring us out of Egypt? Are you trying to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst?” Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What should I do with these people? They are ready to stone me!” The Lord said to Moses, “Walk out in front of the people. Take your staff, the one you used when you struck the water of the Nile, and call some of the elders of Israel to join you. I will stand before you on the rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock, and water will come gushing out. Then the people will be able to drink.” So Moses struck the rock as he was told, and water gushed out as the elders looked on. Moses named the place Massah (which means “test”) and Meribah (which means “arguing”) because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord here with us or not?””
‭‭‬‬

Exodus‬ ‭17‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT

When the people were in the desert, they became thirsty. Here they began, or rather continued to rally against God. The scripture records that it was because their thirst was upon them, but further reading would suggest that it was because of their thirst had reopened the door for their sin. Their sinful hearts were not yet sanctified, even by the presence of God’s mighty hand regularly working in their midst. Although they could stand before the armies of Egypt and Amalek, they could not fight their own psyches when they went hungry or thirsty. Indeed, this was the original sin. Interestingly, it was also the sin that Satan tried to tempt Jesus with in the desert later. In that story, we see Jesus recalling this passage and using it to respond to the temptation appropriately. None of these temptations or lack of faith changed the fact that God stood with his people. Their lack of submission of will and trust did not mean that God did not provide. However, it did elucidate problems for them. This generation would eventually die in the wilderness for their stubborn refusal to be blessed by God. Our faith journey is about more than having sincerity. It is about continual belief and follow through with calling God good, even when thirsty.

People’s Sinful Nature: People’s thirst in the desert revealed their sinful nature, showing they couldn’t overcome their own psyches despite God’s presence.

God’s Provision and People’s Response: God provided for the people, but their lack of faith and submission led to problems and ultimately their death in the wilderness.

Faith Journey’s Requirement: Faith journey demands continual belief and trust in God’s goodness, even in the face of challenges.