9th June, 2025
A Fountain Publication
The Lodestar
Online Magazine for the Thinking Christian
Devotional
Bitter Water, Sweet Miracle: God's Power to Transform
“If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, ... I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer.” (Exodus 15:26).
By Paulson Pulikottil
Read: Exodus 15:15—27.
For three arduous days, they roamed the desolate wilderness of Shur, their parched tongues yearning for a drop of water. Finally, their desperate search led them to a bitter and undrinkable source. The euphoria of their miraculous escape from the Red Sea, where the waves swallowed their enemies, had faded, replaced by discontent and murmurs of complaint against Moses.
As Moses cried to the Lord for help, the Lord showed him a log that turned the bitter water into sweet water, making everyone happy.
This first miracle on their journey through the wilderness was only an object lesson to teach them that the Lord can turn every bitter experience into a memorable, sweet experience.
This was a lesson in physical healing and a profound revelation of God's comprehensive healing power. In the Old Testament, the word for healing encompasses physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. When God declares, "I am the LORD, your healer," He affirms His commitment to the total well-being of His people.
After this episode of Marah (bitterness), they moved on to find plenty of food and water at Elim (Exod 15:27) and the provision of Manna for the remaining forty years (Exod 16:35). God not only turned their adversities to their advantage but also led them on to plenty.
Every adversity is God's opportunity to prove his power and care for us. Although there may be bitter situations, we must believe that the Lord will show us the path that turns bitter to sweet.
Share this Article
Advertisements
Explore More on The Lodestar
Pentecost: More Than Fire, A Rebirth of Community
Pentecost is not just about fire and tongues. It is about the Spirit rebuilding fractured communities, forging unity in diversity, and creating new people marked by grace, belonging, and shared life....
One Breath, One Earth: A Sacred Call to Stewardship
On World Environment Day, we are reminded that the earth is a sacred trust, not a possession. As stewards of creation, we are called to protect what we all share — air, water, and land — for the good...
Deception or Divine Readiness
In a world teetering between truth and deception, a battle rages for the souls of humanity. While darkness spreads through chaos and misinformation, the Holy Spirit calls believers to faith,...
Subscribe to our free weekly digest.
Join hundreds of others who have subscribed to our free weekly digest for inspiring news, faith, community, family, opinion, and culture content. Stay connected and nurture your spiritual growth with thought-provoking articles delivered straight to your inbox.
Join our growing community of readers today.