1. The Wilderness Test Exodus 17:1 -10:1-6
According to the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, we are admonished to learn from the Example of the Israelites. We too are sojourners redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, we have ‘crossed over’ to the other side by grace, and are on our way to the ‘Promised Land’.

2. Do We believe we deserve God’s Provision….? (Exodus 17:1-2)
Do we have the right to DEMAND God’s provision…? Jesus said in the model prayer “….give us this day our daily bread…” We are told to ASK in faith, not to DEMAND in arrogance. GOD’s provision is a wonderful gift of grace, we must learn to trust GOD, not test him with a sense of entitlement and grumble and complain.

3. SALVATION, BUT IT IS NECESSARY FOR OUR SANCTIFICATION…!
GOING THROUGH THE ‘WILDERNESS’ IS NOT NECESSARY FOR OUR
SALVATION,
BUT IT IS NECESSARY FOR OUR
SANCTIFICATION…!

4. QUESTION:
Do difficult circumstances cause us to have wrong attitudes and actions or do they merely reveal wrong attitudes and actions…?
When do we grow in Christ more…. during times of great prosperity, or great trials…?

5. Do we believe GOD is good? (Ex. 17:3-4)
God did not redeem Israel to forsake them. God redeems and God provides.
As believers, we should remember God has brought us through a greater exodus. And if God would provide the solution for our greatest problem (our sin problem, through Christ’s death and resurrection) then we have no reason to question his goodness and faithfulness as we face our day-to-day problems.
GOD IS GOOD, BELIEVE IT
GOD PROVIDES THE MANNA

6. Psalms 73 is a wonderful testimony of GOD’s goodness…: Asaph wrote…
”Yet I am always with you; You hold my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterwards you will take me up in Glory. Who do I have in Heaven but you? My flesh and my heart may fail, but GOD is the strength of my heart, my portion forever” Psalms 73: Meditate on this Psalm of Promise

7. Do We Believe GOD is With Us…?
Exodus 17:5-7
He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites complained, and because they tested the Lord saying: “Is the Lord among us or not….?

8. 3 ways to apply the truths in this Old Testament Story:
Trust in God’s Providence for Daily Needs: God is with His people, and God will provide for his people. Israel’s experience in the wilderness is an example of God’s people grumbling and complaining….does that show God he is trusted…?
Trust in God’s Son for our Deepest Needs: The Israelites grumbled when they felt a need for bread (manna) and grew thirsty in the desert. Jesus is the ‘Bread of Life’ and the ‘water that we will never be thirsty again.’
Trust in God’s Mercy as we offer living water to the world’s thirsty: The Rock was stricken for our salvation, but we can’t keep this ‘Good News’ to ourselves, We must tell everyone about the Living Water.

9. Christ Connection:
Moses struck the Rock instead of the people, and water flowed for the people’s salvation. JESUS is the Rpck who was struck for our salvation, the Rock whose living water satisfies us forever.
“It was God, in the person of Jesus Christ, who stood on the Rock. It was Christ who was struck with the rod of God’s justice in the place of guilty people.” Nancy Guthrie