The Sacred Road contains many stories of our Creator and our Savior that help us with our walk today. One story is found in Exodus chapter 15.  It is part of a much larger story told of Creator leading his people out of slavery in Egypt, through the wilderness and into their own land. 

Ex 13:21-22  GOD went ahead of them in a Pillar of Cloud during the day to guide them on the way, and at night in a Pillar of Fire to give them light; thus they could travel both day and night. 22 The Pillar of Cloud by day and the Pillar of Fire by night never left the people.  (from THE MESSAGE)

God led Moses and His people in this way out of Egypt, across the Red Sea and through a wilderness.  The people came to a place called Marah, which means bitter.  It was named this because the water was bitter and not fit to drink. 

Ex 15:24 And the people complained to Moses, "So what are we supposed to drink?"  (from THE MESSAGE)

Up until the time they came to Marah, the people saw God lead them out of Egypt with many powerful miracles.  But when they came to Marah and found no water to drink, they complained and doubted God’s leading.

But Moses did not doubt.  He knew that if God led them here, He would provide.  So he prayed to God.

Ex 15:25 GOD pointed him to a stick of wood. Moses threw it into the water and the water turned sweet.  (from THE MESSAGE)

This story teaches us to trust God wherever He leads us and to not lose heart or turn back when we end up in places we don’t expect.  God provides in the desert—we just need to trust, ask in prayer and then look for that miracle. 

Jesus also taught us about trusting.

Luke 5:4 When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, "Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch."  (from THE MESSAGE)

But Simon had been out fishing all night and didn’t catch anything.  He didn’t see how there would be any fish to catch now.  But Simon knew that what he ‘saw’ did not matter.  What mattered is what God says and placing your trust in that.

Luke 5:5-6 Simon said, "Master, we've been fishing hard all night and haven't caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I'll let out the nets." (from THE MESSAGE)

No sooner than this was said and done, they caught more fish than the nets could hold.  The nets were breaking and Simon called to the fisherman on the other boat to come and help them.  They had enough fish to completely fill (and nearly sink) both boats.

So where do you find yourself today?  Are you in a place that you know God has led you but it looks dark, or empty, or you’ve tried everything you know and you just don’t see why you are here or how you can make it?  Be like Moses.  Pray to God right now.  Know that God is good and that He will take care of you.  Expect a powerful miracle—look around for that ‘wood’ that He wants you to put in the waters to turn bitter to sweet.  Push out into deep water and watch those fish practically jump into your boat.  That’s the kind of God we serve.  One that overcomes all odds and goes beyond all reason to love us!

Eph 3:20  God can do anything, you know — far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. (from THE MESSAGE)