The Rock
Scripture Reading — Exodus 17:1-7
They drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.
Many passages in the Bible speak of God as a rock. Jacob called God “the Rock of Israel” (Genesis 49:24). Hannah said, “There is no Rock like our God” (1 Samuel 2:2). And David said, “Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior!” (2 Samuel 22:47). The picture is supremely appropriate. God is always our firm, faithful, everlasting foundation.
So when the people of Israel quarreled with Moses in the desert, demanding water to drink, God told Moses to take his staff and go to “the rock at Horeb.” God would stand before the rock, and Moses was to strike it with his staff. Water would gush out of the rock for the people to drink.
The people had been belligerent, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” And God showed them that of course he was there. The people watched the miracle happen, and their thirst was satisfied. God, as always, provided for them.
Years later, when the religious leaders quarreled with Jesus, he said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them” (John 7:37-38). By “living water,” he meant the blessings of eternal life (see John 4:10-14). Jesus is the Rock of salvation who was stricken so that we can receive the water of life.
Give us living water in this dry, barren world, Lord. May your blessings of salvation flow from us to others. In your name, Amen.
About the author — George Young
George Young, a native New Yorker, worked as a taxi driver in New York City before studying to become a pastor. Then he, his wife Ruth, and their children were missionaries for many years in northeastern Japan. They worked with ministers and believers from the Reformed Church in Japan to spread the good news of salvation in Christ and establish new churches. Now George and Ruth are retired and live in the northeastern United States, nearer to their children and grandchildren.
Start your day with quick daily devotions.
See God's love, power, presence, and purpose in your life every day!