“My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” —Ezekiel 37:27 ESV
In the desert of Marah, Moses threw a branch into bitter water, and God made it sweet. That branch was more than a quick fix for thirsty travelers—it was a glimpse of the gospel.
Centuries later, Christ Himself would hang on a tree, taking on the bitterness of sin and death so that we might taste the sweetness of life with God.
The good news isn’t only about eternity. It’s about Christ entering into the very places where life feels broken, messy, or impossible—and bringing hope.
The God Who Meets Us
I’ve seen this truth play out in my own story.
During one of the lowest points of my family’s history, God met me at a little Bible school in Ohio called Insight. Pain has a way of isolating us, but God placed me in the lap of a loving community of people who were running hard after Him.
He cared for me there in simple, surprising, and deeply personal ways.
At one point, I wrote in my journal, “You’re my Dad. I need a wedding dress and a ticket to New Zealand.”
The following Monday, I received an unexpected check in the mail for $2,000. Soon after, the family who had welcomed me into their home offered to help me find a wedding dress. A $2,000 gown was sold to me for just $100.
Although I was walking through bleak circumstances, God was right there, making a way forward for me.
Christ With Us, Christ In Us
Jesus didn’t just bring healing and provision two thousand years ago—He still does today.
The same Christ who entered a broken and messy world enters our broken and messy lives. He makes the bitter sweet. He makes a way where there is no way.
And His presence changes everything. (To be continued next week.)
A Gentle Invitation
This reflection is adapted from First, Let Me Heal You. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a wilderness season, I believe Christ wants to meet you there. You can find the book here.
