The Power of a Tree

"Then he (Moses) cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree; and he threw it into the waters, and the waters became sweet." (Exodus 15:25)

The Israelites needed water. Two million of them. They were searching (in the wilderness). They were looking - for three long and thirsty days. (Exodus 15:22) They were becoming desperate. Then they saw it. ("Yay! Our prayers have been answered.") They found water. But it was bad. (Ouch.) (Exodus 15:23)

And some of us have a strange idea about the Christian life. (Especially in America.) We think that we won't (shouldn't) suffer hardship, challenging circumstances (at least at the extreme level). Like God wouldn't bring us to the brink, would He? (Could He?) After all, the Scriptures don't read that way. (Yes, they do.)

The truth is God can't get "Egypt" out of us (break our sinful nature) without digging deep (via painful and even hopeless situations at times). His goal is to get us to totally trust in Him and nothing else (not our jobs, not our bank accounts, 401ks, anything).

At Marah (and the bitter waters there), Moses sought God for help. And the Lord showed him a tree. (Don't you think that odd?) The Lord showed Moses a tree that if he would just throw it into the bitter waters, they would be made sweet. Moses obeyed and two million Israelites had their thirsts quenched, hope restored and sinful natures broken a little bit more. (Cool.)

That's the power of a tree! ~ which speaks even more, points to and is a picture of another tree ~ a transcendent, glorious and most precious tree!

It's the cross (Oh, the wonderful cross!) upon which the Prince of glory died! That's the tree...

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us--for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a TREE.'" (Galatians 3:13)

"He (Jesus) Himself bore our sins in His body on the TREE, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed." (1 Peter 2:24)

It is this tree (Christ's cross and what He accomplished giving up His life for us on it) which, when tossed (via faith) into the bitterness of a soul trapped in sin and destined for hell, will "sweeten the waters" ~ free us to drink from the water of life. (John 7:37-38; Revelation 22:1)

And more than that, it is this tree (the cross of Christ) that will sweeten any of life's bitter waters. (Selah ~ pause to reflect)

I don't know what you're experiencing right now. What I do know is that it's the power of a tree that will "sweeten" it / see you through.

Lead me to the cross where Your loved poured out.
Bring me to my knees, Lord, I lay me down.
Rid me of myself, I belong to You.
Oh lead me! Lead me to the cross.
(Lead Me To The Cross by Hillsong United)

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