Exodus 15 – 24

Anxiety is corrosive to faith. We see the children of Israel go from praising God for delivering them from Pharaoh and his army (a major source of stress, no doubt) one moment and then complaining to God about bitter water the next. If we are honest with ourselves, when we look at this portion of the deliverance narrative we are looking into a mirror. There are times when faith comes easy and blessings flow from our mouths and hearts to God’s ears. Yet, other times when anxiety slowly eats away at faith and the praising gets harder while the griping comes so easily. Abraham first acknowledged this aspect of God’s nature when he praised God for providing the ram in place of Isaac, calling the place Yahweh-Yireh (or, Jehovah-Jireh) – “the LORD will provide”.

Faith says “I believe God will provide”. Anxiety says, “God, You’re not doing Your job well enough to satisfy me”. Anxiety is corrosive to faith. Rest assured, God knows this about us. Why else would “Do not fear” and “Do not worry” encouragement repeatedly come through the Holy Spirit? God knows us. Do we know God enough to exchange anxiety for faith?

Whether it is spiritually or physically, God provides enough. So, I must ask myself each day, “Am I satisfied with enough?” The answer is a matter of faith.

Escaping the clutches of Pharaoh’s slavery, the children of Israel were pinned against the water with the army closing in quickly. Yahweh moved between the pursuer and the pursued. He gave them enough time. The water parted and dry land beckoned the Hebrews to cross. They crossed safely, but the Egyptians were utterly destroyed when they followed. God gave them enough of an opening. Satisfied with enough, they sang His praises.

The waters were bitter at the oasis of Marah, so God sweetened it. The people were in the wilderness with no natural supply of food, so Yahweh-Yireh gave them manna and quail for six days that was enough to feed them for seven days. If anxiety corroded their faith and they gathered too much manna, it would spoil. God gave them enough for today. When they moved from Marah to Rephidim, Israel complained. It was as if they had not been paying attention. They acted like God hadn’t figured they would need food and water in the wilderness – you know, the wilderness HE created and the hungry and thirsty people HE created. Once again, God gave them water. He gave them enough.

They place was called Massah and Meribah. We have a saying, “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth?” It references our ability to tell a lot about the age and health of a horse from its teeth and gums. When someone GIVES you a horse, accept it. It is enough. The name “Massah” means “put to the test” and was used to describe folks who could tell a lot about camels they were considering simply by smelling them. So, like looking a horse in the mouth, folks in the ancient near east would “sniff the camel” to “test it” and see if it was legit. Meribah means “to quarrel”. When their anxiety eroded their faith, the Hebrews fussed at God and “sniffed the camel” (the camel, in this instance was God, not the water). God was the “gift horse” and the people were not satisfied.

As they fought the Amalekites, Moses needed other to help him hold up his arms while God gave them victory. Moses had enough help to overcome. They built an altar and praise Yahweh-Nissi, “the LORD is my banner”. When the needs of the people were too much for one man to administer, Moses selected men from the people to help him. Moses had enough to be able to delegate. Yahweh provides people to help one another, and when we love, support and interact with others we will always have enough.

Then, God comes to meet Moses on Mount Sinai to give him the Law that would instruct the people in holiness. Yahweh would give them over 600 commands (some positive and some negative). Why so many? The apostle Paul says the Law showed us all that by our meritorious works we cannot do enough to be righteous. The Law was enough to teach us that lesson. It was enough until Jesus came.

Are you anxious about an enemy pressing in on you? Choose faith instead of worry. Do the ordinary needs of daily life cause you concern? Choose faith instead of worry. Do you feel all alone, as you have separated yourself from God’s people and chosen to live in spiritual isolation? Choose faith instead of worry. Have your life choices brought misery and heartache? Choose faith instead of worry. Anxiety corrodes faith. Anxiety is faith in yourself, in other people and in things. Saving faith is not about YOU. It is choosing Yahweh-Yireh … Yahweh-Nissi instead of you. If things aren’t working out your way, try HIS way. You’ll be satisfied with enough.

Consider His nature. Consider His ways. Strive to love Him more!