Exodus 17

In this passage the Israelites are at it again complaining about no water. I guess they should've learned their lesson with food but again the grumblers grumble. I wonder how serious the problem actually was. Considering they wanted to stone Moses it must've been at least a bit serious. I wonder what would've happened if they had put their energies towards praying and seeking God for water instead of attacking Moses. In the end they get their water and hopefully a lesson as well. Even out of a rock God will provide water. We should remember this as well. God can even provide for us out of the most inhospitable spot that we could imagine.

In the second half of this passage a battle ensues. The strange thing about this battle is that it is won when Moses raises his hands toward the heavens and lost when he puts them down. What a strange way for God to teach a lesson. None the less, it is a good one for us to remember. Even when we run out of strength to put our arms towards God they should still be that way. Always exalting God and looking to him for the victory. Moses would've had plenty of excuse to finally put his arms down but this was Gods way to show Moses as well as the Israelite leaders with him that it was God's victory. God help us to lift our hands to you even when we're weak. And when we're to weak help us to know to ask our friends for help.