Massah and Meribah

‘Today, if only you would hear his voice, “Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness, where your ancestors tested me; they tried me, though they had seen what I did’ – Psalm 95:7-9 (NIV2010)

In our journey with God there are seasons when it looks like God has abandoned us but we dare not accept that lie because he has said “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Heb. 13:5 – NIV).

This was the lie the children of Israel embraced when they got to Rephidim. ‘They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink’ (Exodus 17:1 NIV). I don’t know for how long this lack of water went on, but to be in the middle of the desert without water can be a tough situation. So when the Israelites could not take it any longer, they began to quarrel with Moses. God eventually provided water but they had failed God’s test of them by their testing of God. Rephidim could have been a place of glory of proving through trust that their God is faithful, but it became a place to be remembered with shame because they tested God by their unbelief.

‘Moses named the place Massah (which means “test”) and Meribah (which means “arguing”) because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord here with us or not?”’ (Ex.17:7 NLT). Massah and Meribah was the place where Israel tested their God and quarrelled with Him.

To put God to the test is to accept the lie that God has abandoned you. ‘Is the Lord among us or not?’ is the language of testing God. When we accept the lie that God has left us, that he is no longer looking after us, then we will begin to grumble and complain. And then we will cast off hope and also his restraints. Most misbehaviour has its roots in unbelief. When we accept the lie that God has left us, we will begin to turn from God. We will misbehave just as the Israelites did. They were almost ready to stone Moses. This was their God-sent deliverer who was given to take them into their promised land. If we are not careful in the midst of abandoning trust and restraint we will also abandon the people (or place) that God has given to take us into his destiny for us. Don’t abandon your post because of the test you are facing. Don’t abandon God-sent relationships because of the test. Don’t abandon the vision because of the test.

Just because we have unanswered questions about why God is not doing what we expect him to do, does not mean we should conclude he has left us. Just because there are troubles does not mean I am not on the right track on my journey to God’s destiny. The Bible says: ‘At the Lord’s command, the whole community of Israel left the wilderness of Sin and moved from place to place. Eventually they camped at Rephidim’ (Ex. 17:1 NLT). They were in Rephidim at the Lord’s command. They were in God’s will and God was with them. Just because there are troubles does not mean we are not in God’s will or that he is not with us. Even when some things don’t make sense, don’t cast off those things that you know to be true.

So here is my charge to you: When you get to your Rephidim don’t let it become Massah and Meribah. When you get to your place of trial do not let it become your place of doubting God’s presence and of quarrelling with God. Never forget that he has said “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Heb. 13:5). He is there with you; so ask him for the way forward. He will show you and will make a way for you.