September 1, 2013
Exodus 15:22-27
Pastor-Teacher David Eddy of Faith Center in Island City used the Exodus 15 passages to preach a robust, thoughtful sermon this Sunday morning. Some of us, maybe many of us are struggling through a "wilderness walk" right now. If not right now, we eventually will. As a trustworthy friend said, "God don't give us no velvet road to travel." This wisdom explains our need for direction and God's refreshing presence in our wilderness.
Surprisingly, as I listened to pastor's sermon a vivid picture, a "Vision" was playing concurrently on the screen of my mind. I felt the desperation Moses expressed when he pleaded for God's intervention. Moses needed a touch that would turn bitter water into sweet. Like Moses, I was looking for a miracle.
The Lord told Moses: "Pick up a stick and throw it into the poisonous water." He told me the same thing.
I looked around and saw the ground I was standing on was strewn with sticks. Some were gnarled and twisted. Some were crooked and bent. Some had splintered ends. Some were covered with prickly spikes. Others had been stripped of their natural bark. Some were too large for me to throw, others too small and weightless. None of the sticks seemed appropriate. As I looked at them I saw that they represented fear, jealousy, pain, pride, brokenness: a disconnect from life itself. I didn't want to pick up any of them. I didn't want to touch even one of them.
"Where is my special stick, Lord? Surely none of these scattered here are for me?" Then I glanced at my feet. Touching the toe of one sandal was a different kind of stick; a green branch, broken off a living tree. It still smelled fragrant, fresh, and new. Some vibrant leaves were still attached. Tiny buds pushed through the smooth bark. A clear red sap oozed out from where the wood had been torn off the parent tree.
God spoke: "This is the one for you. This is my Righteous Branch. Throw it into your pool of bitter water." I picked up the wood, whirled it around overhead, and threw it with all my might. The water instantly changed color and become pure, fresh and clear. It was water I could drink, water I could offer to others as they walked through their own deserts.
Examining my hands I saw no splinters, no wounds, no bruises. My palms were streaked with red, glistening tree sap. As I lifted them toward heaven in thanksgiving a sweet unexpected fragrance arose. So now I knew. This was my JESUS STICK and no matter what the situation it worked. I cleared the putrid waters in my life. No matter where I traveled this branch of God will go with me. I will always get my needs met, my soul refreshed. God's perfect miracles will be there waiting for me to grab hold of them.
