Exodus 15:24-26 – “So the people murmured against Moses, saying, “What can we drink?” ²⁵ He cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When Moses threw it into the water, the water became safe to drink. There the Lord made for them a binding ordinance, and there he tested them. ²⁶ He said, “If you will diligently obey the Lord your God, and do what is right in his sight, and pay attention to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, then all the diseases that I brought on the Egyptians I will not bring on you, for I, the Lord, am your healer.”

The world is in turmoil, and hate is prevalent, but God’s love is consistently constant and complete. Regardless of the circumstances, know that God loves you!

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, something from the book of Exodus burst forth in my heart.   Jesus!   Yes, Jesus!   No, He is not mentioned specifically, but Moses’s act in response to the Israelites’ complaints reflects Him and His impact on us.

The waters of Marah, also known as Marah (meaning “bitter” or “undrinkable”), were bitter and undrinkable. God showed Moses a tree (some renderings refer to it as a branch).   Jesus is referred to as The Branch.   Moses threw the tree or branch into the bitter waters, and they were transformed.   Jesus is The Branch, and His presence sweetens the bitter waters of life.

A key is in the verse that follows that event. Exodus 15:26 – “If you will diligently (will and diligently are keys) obey the LORD your God AND do what is right in His sight (another key element – His sight), AND pay attention to His commandments, AND keep all His statutes, THEN all the diseases that I brought on the Egyptians I will not bring on you, for I the LORD, am your healer.”

This is the Old Covenant, and we have a better Covenant established on better promises through Jesus.   God has done His part.   We must do ours.   No, we cannot earn it, but obedience is a necessary element. God cannot bless disobedience and rebellion.  But desires to lavishly bless obedience.

When Jesus is in our lives, life is sweeter!   All the problems won’t disappear, but His presence makes life sweet, even in trials, because He is there.

One biblical scholar noted regarding this event and the tree, ‘God created all things with healing properties, including our bodies.’ Jesus leads us to health and wholeness, and Jesus is our source of health and wholeness.

Do you have bitter waters in your life?   Let Jesus be the ingredient that sweetens them!   Diligently obey and give heed to the Word of God. Keep His commandments, live by His revealed precepts, and watch God manifest Himself as THE I AM!

May the sweetness of Jesus in you make the waters of your life potable.