READ Psalm 105:37–42. 37 He brought out Israel, laden with silver and gold, and from among their tribes no one faltered. 38 Egypt was glad when they left, because dread of Israel had fallen on them. 39 He spread out a cloud as a covering, and a fire to give light at night. 40 They asked, and he brought them quail; he fed them well with the bread of heaven. 41 He opened the rock, and water gushed out; like a river it flowed in the desert. 42 For he remembered his holy promise given to his servant Abraham.
THE PROVISION OF GOD. As the people of Israel wandered in the wilderness, God provided finances, protection, and food (verses 37–40). Nevertheless, the Israelites charged Moses and God with bringing them into the desert to die (Exodus 17:1–7). For such slander, God told Moses to take the special rod he used to bring divine judgment on Egypt. But instead of striking the Israelites, Moses was told to bring the rod of judgment down on a rock where God stood. The rock, being struck, brought out life-giving water (verse 41.) Paul said the rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4–6). He was struck and judged in our place, so that the “the sorrow and love flow mingled down” could bring us eternal life.106
Prayer: Lord, “Were the whole the realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small. Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”107 Amen.