"They Did Not Thirst..."

"They did not thirst when he led them through the deserts; he made water flow for them from the rock; he split the rock and water gushed out." Isaiah 48:21




While God did use water from the rock as a literal way to meet the needs of Israel, God continues to provide for His people in a more spiritual sense also. I've always found this verse to be very encouraging, because the desert is a perfect picture of some of the seasons that a Christian goes through. There are periods where each Christian may feel dry, not seem to experience much growth, and may get discouraged. But even though the season feels dry, the Christian does not wither. That's because he is rooted in the Lord, and his strength comes from a source that is deeper than himself! "He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither..." Psalm 1:3 The Christian is sustained through all things and eventually there comes an end to the dry season. How did God end the dry season for the Israelites? It says that water "gushed out" of the rock. This wasn't a trickle, or a little puddle. Their thirst was quenched and their needs met in an abundance! "...and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there will be showers of blessing." Ezekiel 34:26 Not only that, but look at where the water came from--it came from the rock, which is often used to symbolize Christ. Any time there is a need met we should always remember the source, which is Christ. "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19