There Is Something In the Water
This blog post is Part 21 of a series entitled "From Fear To Freedom" by Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith of Donelson First in Nashville, TN.
Message Date: July 28, 2024
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71% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water. Our oceans hold about 96% of all the earth’s waters. What is fascinating is that there is more fresh water stored in the ground than is in liquid form on the surface of the earth. If all the earth’s water was poured directly onto the contiguous United States, water would cover our entire nation to a depth of 109 miles above the highest point in America. Think about that. That’s a lot of water! Here in America alone, we use about 275 billion gallons of water every day. Up to 60% of the human body is water. The brain and heart are composed of 73% water. The lungs are about 83% water. The skin contains 64% water, and even your bones contain about 31% water. It goes without saying that humanity could not, would not, survive without water.
The study of water is truly fascinating in its significance to humanity. And it is truly remarkable how water is such a critical part of the biblical story of Creation, God’s plan, and His redemptive story for us each. Water is referenced 722 times in the Bible, almost as many times as Jesus is mentioned and 500 times more than the Holy Spirit is mentioned. As a matter of fact, the first time we hear of God in the Bible, we are told that He is hovering over the waters of our planet.
Genesis 1:1-2
Do you know that it is estimated that approximately 75% of Americans are dehydrated? Most people do not even realize that their body is in need of being replenished. And do you know this: It has now been proven that iced tea hydrates the body just as much as a glass of water. So... drink up you southern tea lovers! I presume there are many... so very many Jesus loving, God believing, Church folk, who unbeknownst to them, are spiritually dehydrated... Such people attend church regularly, serve well in the church, and may even give a portion of their finances back to the church... yet, these same people do not realize they are desperate for a spiritual quenching of the heart and mind and soul.
You know how there is nothing quite like a tall, cold glass of water on a hot summer’s day. And there too is nothing quite like a spiritual refreshment from the Lord that replenishes our hearts in a way that only He can! This message is for anyone who is thirsty for the goodness of God; for anyone in need of being quenched and reinvigorated with the reminder that God’s love is as a river of mercy and grace and forgiveness and strength and fortitude and power and holiness freely flowing as a waterfall of refreshment, just as the new morning dew that washes over all and sustains the soul and offers life in place of death; peace in place of despair; freedom in place of fear. Today’s message is for anyone who finds themselves hurting; wondering; wallowing; searching, drowning in loneliness; brokenness; despair; depression, or feelings of emptiness; uncertainty... If this is you, my prayer for you today is that you are reminded of the faithfulness of a God who never leaves you, who never abandons you, and who never forgets you.
Answer this question: Other than the resurrection of the Christ, what one miracle is mentioned more times than any other in the Bible? The nation of Israel crossing the waters of the Red Sea. The crossing is mentioned even more times than the Passover.
He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up; he led them through the depths as through a desert. Psalm 106:9
To him who divided the Red Sea asunder His love endures forever. Psalm 136:13
For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God. Joshua 4:23-24
At the sound of their fall the earth will tremble; their cry will resound to the Red Sea. Jeremiah 49:21
And, in the book of Joshua, we read the story where the Israelites travel to Jericho to spy on the land. While there, even a prostitute, a young lady known to have lived a pagan life, was aware of what the Hebrew God had done for the nation of Israel. She says to the Israelite spies:
We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt. Joshua 2:10
Of course it is not clear to us in the modern world today as to the exact location in which the 2 million strong of the nation of Israel crossed the Red Sea. Many, many years have passed since this time. Water levels have risen and fallen in all parts of the world, including along the banks of the Reed Sea. One thing we do know, at the place of the exact location God’s people crossed, on that night the water was deep enough to drown the Egyptians when the water rushed back over them:
Exodus 14:26-28
Imagine the morning after the Egyptian army was drowned... when the sun begins to shine over the waters of the Red Sea. On this day, the nation of Israel awoke wholly as a free nation. Of all the days in the Old Testament that so clearly point to the redemption that Jesus gives us on the day that we begin a new life in Him - a new relationship with Him - there is no greater picture I believe than this one, the day the nation of Israel awoke as a liberated Israel; a free nation; God’s redeemed people. This is exactly what Peter spoke of when he wrote:
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9
Now the nation of Israel is a new people standing on a new land with a new life before them. After the most craziest of nights, the people of God did something amazing – they sang. Moses sang. His sister, Miriam, sang. The Israelites sang:
Exodus 15:1-18
I dare say that most people probably have skipped over this moment in the story of the Exodus. After all, stories of killing babies, plagues, darkness, and dead Egyptian bodies floating in the Reed Sea often make for more exciting and engaging conversations to so very many, I presume. But let's not overlook the beauty of these lyrics. Do you notice who is not mentioned in this song... not even once? Though some might surmise that Moses is the central character of this story, notice that Moses is not even mentioned in this song. No Miriam and Moses so clearly direct our attention to the true one central character who deserves the entirety of our allegiance and focus throughout this Old Testament story! In the 18 verses of this song, the name “Lord” appears 11 times and then once again in Miriam's refrain in verse 22:
Exodus 15:21
The pronouns “he,” “him,” “his,” “you,” and “your,” each referring to Jehovah God, appear 25 times in this beautiful lyric. It is an obvious focus we do not, nor should not, choose to miss! It isn't merely that the nation of Israel is finally free. It isn't as simple as the reality that the enemy is dead, and the nation of Israel is living. No! In this beautiful song of Moses and Miriam our attention is drawn but to one person, the person to whom we should see, as the writers remind us in verse 21:
We are to, “Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted.”
Church do not miss this for this truly is the reason for the entirety of the Exodus:
God is to be exalted; highly exalted!
In the story of the Exodus, God has redeemed His people through the most extraordinary, out-of-the ordinary, super fascinating, unexplainable, incomprehensible, and beyond words story of, from slave to being saved; from brutality to beauty; from sorrow to salvation; from fear to freedom. In 11 of these 18 verses in this song, we read of the waters! The nation of Israel awakens on dry ground. As the cloud that was behind them over night begins to move back to its original location, ahead of them, all the people of Israel can see are dead bodies of soldiers and horses washing ashore all along the coast of the Red Sea. So... let’s read on:
Exodus 15:22-27
I want to offer you 5 words today:
1. Perspective
Life is so very, very hard. There are presently 102 armed conflicts and wars happening all over the world. 45 of them are currently taking place throughout the Middle East and North Africa in places like Cyprus, Egypt, Iraq and Morocco. Throughout Asia, there are presently 19 conflicts. Russia is currently occupying, as I am sure you are aware, territory in Ukraine. However, did you know that Russia too is fighting to occupy three other countries. There too is fighting in Turkey, Syria, Palestine, Yemen, Mali, and Cameroon. Columbia is experiencing one of the longest non-international conflicts in modern times, as well as Mexico involving gangs and drug cartels. Here in America, as you know, former President Donald Trump experienced an assassination attempt just a little over a week ago. As we began this past week, we did so with the news that the present President, President Joe Biden, would no longer be running for office for a second term as President. The Secret Service Director, Kimberly Cheatle, resigned under intense scrutiny in light of the assignation attempt on President Trump. And on Wednesday of this week, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress, there were riots across Washington D.C. and other major cities in opposition to the very nation, God’s people, the nation of Israel, that we are studying in this series, From Fear to Freedom.
The world is a brutally challenged place at present. Really, it always has been. The effects of sin run rampant across the globe. And then... what about in our personal lives as a humanity? Just this week, I have heard from friends and family and co-workers dealing with depression, career uncertainty, health scares, temptations, marriage challenges, feelings of loneliness and failure and rejection...Though our terrain is different and so very much more modernized, our individual journeys across the world’s wilderness is so parallel to that of the nation of Israel, is it not?
We see God’s hand of provision, just as the nation of Israel had watched all that God did to bring them out of Egyptian captivity and into a free life on the other side of the Reed Sea. Yet, with every step forward, new perplexities and challenges emerge:
Exodus 15:22-23
The enemy desires to convince you that your struggles are evidence of a God who is disconnected and disinterested in your personal needs and comforts. God desires you see your struggles as a tipping point to trust in Him and His sovereignty.
Perspective is everything.
2. Perseverance
Exodus 15:22
To where does Moses lead the nation of Israel at the beginning of this journey? Right into the desert. Do these words sound familiar to you? Look at Matthew 4:
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Matthew 4:1
Jesus was led right into the desert; right into the challenging; right into inconvenience; right into suffering. So too is the nation of Israel led right into the desert; right into the challenging; right into inconvenience; right into suffering. You know... the more I am in the Word, the more I gather that: There is a direct correlation between the suffering of God’s people and the sanctification of God’s will. Of course... The enemy works to deceive you and me into believing that the existence of suffering is evidence of a God who is distant; unconcerned; uninvolved. Therefore... The enemy endeavors to tempt you with the seemingly easier, faster, and more comfortable way of living. This is what Satan did to Jesus while in the desert. On three occasions, he offered Jesus a so-called "better and easier way.” But... God desires a different path entirely for your life – a life often less easy; often less catered to your own timetable; often less comfortable.
It’s hard to do what is right. It’s often extremely hard to trust God, especially when life takes a turn into the unknown and uncomfortable desert. You see the life as a slave was so very dark and difficult for the nation of Israel during their time in Egypt. However, it at least was a life predictable. A life of few surprises; a life void of uncertainties. This new life with God journeying in the desert will require something of God's people of which they had not previously been required to give... at least not in this way... Perseverance.
3. Promise
In the NIV translation of the Bible, there are 8,810 promises from God as to what He will do for His people. One of these promises is found right here at the beginning of the nation of Israel’s journey:
Exodus 15:26
The Israelites first heard that God is the great “I AM,” the all-powerful God who ravaged the Egyptians, conquered the Pharaoh, and left the dead bodies of their enemies floating in the Red Sea. Remember this when God first calls Moses to go and stand before Pharaoh:
Exodus 3:13-14
Now, here on the other side of the Red Sea waters, the Hebrews hear something from God that they have yet to hear – a new name; a God who can actually heal them! God says in verse 26: “... I am the Lord who heals you.” They are hearing of a God who has the power to heal- Jehovah Rapha! What a promise they receive from God. And the key to receiving God’s promise?
4. Priorities
Exodus 15:26
Four things we are to do to align our priorities with God:
1. Listen carefully.
2. Do right.
3. Be attentive.
4. Obey.
God’s people could have journeyed one of three main routes out of Egypt in route to Canaan. The shortest travels would have taken them up and along the coast through the Philistine country. However, taking this route, the Israelites would have had to fight at numerous Egyptian fortifications along the way. You may recall what God had to say about this in:
Exodus 13:17
So instead, the Hebrews traveled southeast into the Sinai Peninsula. Such too is our journey Church as His people. God could so very easily chart a route for life for each of us that would be void of hurt, misfortune, uncertainty, and even, loss and death. But He often does not. Instead, along life’s difficult and challenging journey through life’s wilderness, we continually see that God is a God of, #5:
5. Provision
We read that just a few days into their new journey, God’s people have so very quickly forgotten all that He has done for them up until this point. In verse 24, we read that they “grumbled” against Moses. Man, I can so very much relate with this... can you?
Though God has provided, I complain. Though God has forgiven, I recall my past. Though God has chosen me, I often choose my own way.
It is moments like this in the story when, I know for me personally, I see the magnificence of God’s grace and mercy. Though just three days in His people quickly forget all He has done for them, and they begin to complain to Moses... which, in reality, is really a complaint directed at the Lord... yet God’s provision is remarkable. He first offers them a remedy to the bitter water they drink. And He then provides an oasis in the middle of the desert:
Exodus 15:27
Elim. The nation of Israel surely does not deserve such a reprieve. After all, they have been mostly complaining since the journey began. Yet, God leads them right into an oasis of 12 springs under 70 Palm trees. It is interesting, is it not, that the very first plague on the nation of Egypt was an attack on their water... remember this? .. water being turned to blood. Too, the last act of God in completely destroying the entire Egyptian army was to drown the enemy in a sea of... water! And then, both the very first and second acts of provision from the Lord for His people on their journey to Canaan was first, God leading Moses to throw a piece of wood into the water so that it could be fit to drink by His people. And secondly, by providing His people an oasis of 12 springs of water in the middle of the desert! We see over and again Church, that there is something in the water when it comes to the workings of the Lord:
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. Isaiah 44:3
They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat down on them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water. Isaiah 49:10
And Jesus said this:
Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. John 7:38
And in the final book of the Bible, we read where God will pour out His water upon His people and save them:
It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Revelation 21:6
And we are told that in heaven, we will see and experience a water unlike we have ever known:
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Revelation 22:1-2
So, here for the nation of Israel, at the beginning of their journey as a free people, God does the remarkable. Even after their grumbling, God provides for them. Why do you think God does this? I think it’s simple: The enemy wants you to believe that life with God will always leave you grumbling over bitter water and thirsting. God wants you to know that life with Him, though at times will be hard, is too a life of green pastures beside an oasis of still waters.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. Psalm 23:1-3
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Jeffrey Dean Smith is a husband, father to Bailey & Brynnan, author, and the Senior Pastor at Donelson First in Nashville, TN. If you are in Music City, meet Jeffrey and enjoy iced tea on the front lawn each Sunday at 10:30a.