Sunday, June 8, 2025
Scripture Readings
- Primary Reading: Exodus 17-18
- Secondary Reading: Psalms 66
Key Verse
Exodus 18:6 — “And he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.”
Devotional Thought
Israel has come to Rephidim, and there is no water. The people who sang at the Red Sea now chide with Moses, asking whether the LORD is among them or not. Moses cries out, fearing stoning, and God tells him to strike the rock at Horeb. Water flows, and the place is named Massah and Meribah—temptation and chiding. Before the dust settles, Amalek attacks. Joshua fights in the valley while Moses, Aaron, and Hur ascend the hill. When Moses’ hands are lifted, Israel prevails; when they fall, Amalek prevails. So a stone is placed beneath him, and Aaron and Hur hold up his hands until sunset. The LORD promises to blot out Amalek, and Moses builds an altar called Jehovahnissi—the LORD is my banner. Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, arrives with Zipporah and the two sons, hears the whole story, blesses the LORD, and observes Moses judging alone from morning to evening. He counsels him to appoint able men over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. Moses listens, and the burden is shared.
Notice how many kinds of need appear in one day: thirst, war, and exhaustion. God meets each differently. He provides water from a rock, but He also requires Joshua’s sword and Israel’s lifted hands. He gives Jethro’s wisdom, but He also requires Moses to lay down his solitary grip on every case. The spiritual life is not one thing. Sometimes we drink from the rock; sometimes we hold up another’s hands; sometimes we receive counsel that says, “The thing that thou doest is not good.”
In June, when days are long and gardens need water, we feel our own thirst and weariness. Psalm 66 says God proved Israel as silver is tried, brought them through fire and water, and then brought them out into a wealthy place. That is the pattern at Rephidim: trial first, then provision, then a banner. The psalmist also says, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me”—a reminder that murmuring, like Israel’s, closes the ear. But God heard Moses, and He hears us.
Reflection
- Where in your life are you chiding and testing God rather than crying out to Him, and what would it look like to bring your thirst honestly to the Rock instead?
- Who are the Aaron and Hur in your life—and whose heavy hands are you being asked to steady today?
Prayer
O LORD our Banner, Jehovahnissi, we confess that we have murmured in our thirst and doubted whether You are among us. You struck the Rock and water flowed; You gave Your Son, and living water flows still. Forgive our chiding. Teach us to lift holy hands without wrath and doubting, and to hold up the weary hands of those beside us. Give us humble hearts like Moses, willing to receive wise counsel and to share the burden. Prove us as silver, bring us through fire and water, and lead us into the wealthy place of Your presence, where our souls are held in life. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Psalm Verse
Psalms 66:1 — “Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:”