글 수 780
등록일

2006.04.01

본문

Exodus 15:22-26

People have many burdens in their lives. Whether it is heavy or light, a burden is a nuisance. There are many who cannot handle their frustration, agony, resentment, and such that they sometimes take their lives into their won hands. That's why our Lord invites all those who are suffering under heavy burdens of life to Him, saying, Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. The Wilderness of Shur and Marah represents reality of lives that are heavy-laden under burdens of life. If you are heavy-laden with this kind of burden, I pray that we can hear this message and give all our burdens to the Lord today.


1. The barrenness of Shur and the bitter sufferings of Marah


In Hebrew, Shur means Hard boulder and Marah means bitterness or suffering. In this story of the Israelites encountering the bitter water of Marah in the Wilderness of Shur, the wilderness and the bitter water of Marah represent our life in this world. The Wilderness of Shur is a desert where there is nothing but dust. It is a place where there is no shade to avoid the scorching heat of the sun. Marah describes the reality of bitter and distressing life. Those who are suffering from a disease cry in the bitterness and pain of that sickness. Those who lost their fortune suffer from bitterness also. One finds bitterness of Shur and Marah when they do not receive what they deserve as a result of hard work. Even luxuries and comfort of the world are Wilderness of Shur and Marah. Although one may obtain a high position and gain much authority, he will realize that they will eventually become bitter water of Marah.

 In today's passage, the people of Israel came into the Wilderness of Shur after crossing the Red Sea. They looked for water for 3 days, but they did not succeed. Then, they finally arrived at Marah and found water only to discover that water  was too bitter to drink. How did the Israelites respond? The blessings and inspiration of the Red Sea couldn't be found in their hearts any more. Rather, they started grumbling against the man of God, Moses. They turned into complaining and unbelieving people because of their bitter sufferings. Nevertheless, Moses cried out to God for His help. This is the image of a true believer and what we need to do when we encounter the dangers of Shur and Marah in our lives. We cannot avoid the bitterness of Shur and Marah in our lives, but we can overcome them by praying like Moses.

 God indicated a tree to Moses who was praying because of the bitter water of Marah. It was a solution to the problem. When Moses threw that tree into the water, the bitter water became sweet water. Likewise, our God gives the tree of the cross to us, who cry out to Him because of Shur and Marah, in order to solve our problems. Today, may this tree of solution be thrown into our lives of Marah through the Word!


2. God who heals the pains of Shur and Marah in our lives


 What is the messae that God proclaimed to the people of Israel as a result of turning the bitter water into sweet water? God is telling us, I am the Lord that heals you. It is our God who heals our diseases and solves problems, which are our Shur and Marah. No matter where you go in this world, there is no satisfaction, joy, or happiness that last. However, if we believe and trust in God who heals, there will be sweet water springing up wherever I go. Consequently, I will be a new Marah and Shur with green pastures.

 During the time of Prophet Elisha, the water flowing through the city of Jericho was bad and thus, fruits of harvest fell before they were ripe. Prophet Elisha took some salt and threw it into the spring of water and all the problems were solved(2Kgs. 2:19-22). This salt also signifies Jesus. Who is the one who played the role of salt and preserved the world from decaying away? Theat is Jesus Christ. Thruough His blood on the cross, our Lord cleansed the lives that are reeking with odor and corruption. May the salt of our Lord be thrown into our lives that are fruitless like the bitter water of Marah! Thus says the LORD, I have purified these waters; there shall not be from there death or unfruitfulness any longer. I believe that God will answer us in the same manner.

 At the wedding feast in Cana, Jesus miraculously turned plain water into wine. When Jesus performed this miracle, He did not recite a magical phrase. He just made the servants fill the jars and commanded them to draw some out and take it. But how did that water turn into wine? It is through the obedience of the servants. They quietly obeyed as Jesus's mother told them, Whatever He says to you, do it(John 2:5). If you have encountered bitter sufferings at Shur and Marah, all you have to do is to obey the Lord and fill the empty jar. Regardless of what kind of disease we may have, all our bitter water will turn sweet and the Wilderness of Shur will turn into the land of Canaan overflowing with joy, happiness, and jubilee when we obey the Lord's command and throw the cross and the salt into the problems.


Conclusion


 Jesus took away our weaknesses and healed our diseases(Matt. 8:17). Thus, we have hope even though there may be sufferings of Shur and Marah in our lives. We can have hope because He works with great miracle when we throw the cross of our Lord into the source of our diseases, children's problems, business, work, and family.


List of Articles
번호 제목 날짜 조회 수
120 기도의 감사 2010-09-21 3805
119 모든 개혁은 절대 하나님의 말씀으로만 2010-09-21 2716
118 보배로운 언약 백성 2010-09-13 4445
117 꽉 막힌 길을 뚫고 지름길로 통행하시는 예수 2010-09-13 3605
116 영생 주시기로 작정된 자 2010-09-13 3286
115 하나님이 찾으시는 의인 한 사람 2010-09-13 4812
114 여호와를 경외하는 것이 지식의 근본 2010-08-08 5074
113 ‘만약에(만일)’라고 물으신다면 무엇을 선택할 것인가? 2010-08-08 3118
112 우리의 삶이 하나님과 동행한 에녹같이 2010-07-17 3559
111 구속사적 경륜 속에서 대대로 지킬 절기, 첫 이삭 한 단의 값진 감사 2010-07-10 3561
110 하나님의 영광의 산 소망은 3대 명령에 순종하기만 하면 2010-07-03 3336
109 1950년 6월 25일, 민족의 비극 6.25동란 60주년 - 더 큰 대한민국이 되기 위해 2010-06-26 3445
108 우리나라에 기도하는 자만 있으면 2010-06-22 3179
107 6월은 민족적 아픔과 순국선열들의 희생을 기억하는 호국보훈의 달 2010-06-22 3486
106 우리의 삶이 하나님과 동행한 에녹같이 2010-06-05 3452
105 구속사적 경륜 속에서 세계 최초의 부부 2010-06-03 3106
104 구속사적 경륜 위에 세우신 복된 부부(본래의 부부) 2010-05-23 3351
103 하나님을 경외하는 행복한 가정 2010-05-23 3565
102 하나님의 구속 경륜은 오직 경건한 자손을 통해서 2010-05-10 3484
101 사람이 살기 위한 양식 2010-05-10 3655
PYUNGKANG NEWS
교회일정표
2024 . 3  
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
찬양 HYMNS OF PRAISE
영상 PYUNGKANG MOVIE
152-896 서울시 구로구 오류로 8라길 50 평강제일교회 TEL.02.2625.1441
Copyright ⓒ2001-2015 pyungkang.com. All rights reserved. Pyungkang Cheil Presbyterian Church