“For He Himself has said:” I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you” (Hebrew 13: 5b).

Thirst silenced their voices from within. Dust coated not only their sandals but also their garments and the few belongings they carried when they left Egypt. They had already forgotten the bitter waters of Mara, which turned sweet after Moses cast a tree into them at the Lord’s command.

They appeared to have forgotten the gentle voice that promised to remove their diseases and heal any sickness their previous neighbors suffered, if only they would listen carefully and faithfully obey God’s commandments. The seventy palm trees and twelve wells of water, which offered shade from the blazing sun and quenched their thirst, had become distant memories, even though these events had unfolded within just a few weeks (Exodus 15).

The abundant manna that covered their camp each morning with the dew, and the strength their bodies gained from eating the quail sent to them, were not enough to keep their attention fixed on the God who provides. Their hearts remained unresponsive to the God who was tenderly and wisely guiding them toward the promised land.

Why do we forget so easily and doubt His faithfulness so quickly? Why can’t we remember our own “Marah and Meribas” moments to keep trusting Him faithfully for the sweet waters we long for—the emotional and spiritual restoration of our homes, the reconciliation of families, the healing of our bodies, and the strengthening of our finances? Why do we remain a sorrowful, faithless audience, needing to hear the anguished voice of Moses echo words we should have known and trusted all along: “Is the Lord among us or not?” (Exodus 17:7)

When we boil it down to grumbling and doubting His provision, we are essentially asking the Lord, “Are you still here or not?” It expresses an open, unrestrained verbal doubt: “Are you really present among us?”

But let’s reverse this: “Is His Word the first bread we taste each morning, and the living water we crave to satisfy our souls?” Just one missed appearance led Thomas to doubt Christ’s resurrection, refusing to believe He was alive. It was as if all the previous encounters, miraculous signs, and teachings before His death meant nothing. Filled with fear and doubt, Thomas declared, “I will not believe unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side” (John 20:25).

Like the Israelites of old, and like Thomas who missed the opportunity to see the Risen Christ, I am tempted to doubt and fear, to grumble and to forget my valley of suffering where God has placed His finger and healed me.  I am afraid of new testing meant to “just make sure all is well”. Yet today, as I have come from the doctor’s office, and prayed with the children before bed, I hear my sweet Emma’s voice praying:” Thank you Jesus, that Mami is cancer-free”. It stopped me in my thoughts. I cried tears of joy, of regrets over little faith, of repentance and awakened trust in my Lord. “From the mouth of babes”…, psalm 8:2 reminds me, “He has ordained strength …”. He wanted to remind me of the miracles He worked in me, and the promises that will continue to stand, through the words He instilled in my youngest daughter…

And three days later, I received this verse from Hebrews 11:6: “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever comes to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
Oh, the gentleness and goodness of my Father! I truly desire to please Him. So, I continue to believe and stand firm that His healing is complete. I refuse to fear screenings and lab tests. I hold fast to His words and encouragements from my cancer battle a year ago.

The Israelites’ fear was not imagined; it was very real. They needed water—again. But without those trials and enduring hardships, “we have little capacity to receive godly counsel and make forward progress toward maturity,” wrote C. Swindoll. So, I am making a conscious effort to remember the ‘seventy palm trees and the twelve wells of water at Elim’—my Elim—all His goodness and provision so far!! I will neither complain nor be afraid. Though it may feel dry now, as it often does during seasons of waiting, the refreshing breeze is near, and the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit remains. I knew it then, and I continue to believe it now: the Lord is still in our midst. He promised Moses before the rock was struck, “I will stand before you here” (Exodus 17:6). And He kept His word. He has been there all along!

Trust Him. His presence brings life in your dry seasons, your moments of testing, your hunger, and your thirst. You may believe that water, solutions, or results are what you need first. But above all, we need Him. Rephidim will come and go, but our Lord remains! The water is coming!

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me”.  (John 15:4)