Hard water. If you’re responsible for cleaning the sink and faucets at your home, you know all about hard water. The scum is hard to remove, and keeping the faucets spot-free and sparkling is next to impossible. Hard water caused by minerals such as calcium and magnesium takes its toll on water-using appliances and plumbing. Hard water keeps those who sell ‘water conditioners’ in business.
Then, there is the problem of iron contamination in water. Most people find the rotten egg smell offensive to their delicate fragrance preferences. That, too, can be treated and the problem minimized.
But have you ever tasted extremely bitter water? You’re craving refreshing cold water to quench your intense thirst. But one gulp, and you can’t handle even another sip. You spit it out. It’s grossly bitter.
The children of Israel had just crossed the Red Sea on their exodus from Egypt. They had been travelling in the wilderness for three days, and their throats were dry. As the saying goes, they were croaking for a drink—parched throats, dry mouths, and desperately thirsty.
They scanned the horizons for an oasis. Finally, they saw some vegetation. Water! Water! They had reached Marah. Falling to their knees, some cupped the water into their hands. Maybe others used their trusty old travel thermos. Perhaps some just stuck their face right into it.
Their smiles of relief turned instantly to frowns of dismay and disappointment. The water was literally gross—totally bitter! Not fit to drink. And the millions weren’t happy. Yes, millions, and that’s quite a crowd to be upset and super thirsty. They complained loudly.
Moses, their leader, cried out to the Lord –
…and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet…” Exodus 15:25
Have you been drinking bitter water lately? Has the spring of water that once refreshed you and soothed your thirst turned bitter? Remember when your eyes were once moistened, and your heart warmed as you engaged in your private daily devotions and lingered in His Presence?
But how is it today? When you try to feed your soul on Christ, are the sweet thoughts you once enjoyed shoved out of your mind by those pushy, aggressive, bitter thoughts? Are the bitter waters in your life depriving you of a refreshing drink?
Bitterness untreated will wreck your Christian life. You cannot progress as a believer and have bitterness lurking in the secret chambers of your heart. It’s a monster killer—lethal poison. Regardless of what or who caused it in the first place – you are now responsible for letting it take root in your heart. Even if the external circumstances do not change, even if they worsen, you yourself must deal with your bitterness.
Bitterness will not fade or go away on its own, and time won’t kill it either. I know because I’ve been there. In fact, if you want to email me privately, I will share my reflections and learnings from a protracted experience of allowing bitterness to wrap its aggressive and joyless tentacles around my heart.
Back to the Exodus story: At Marah (bitter waters), the Lord showed Moses a tree. That tree, submerged in the water, solved the problem. The bitter waters became sweet. Can you think of a tree that could sweeten your thoughts, melt your eyes to tears, and recondition your heart?
Jesus, whom they slew and hanged on a tree. Acts 5:30
Have you brought Calvary’s tree into the equation of your life?
Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree…” 1Peter 2:24
Confess your bitterness. Dump it all out before the Lord. Don’t drink bitter water anymore. Leave those issues with Him and Him alone. Start enjoying Christ again. It’s been too long. Bring the tree into the waters of your life, and you will discover a sweet oasis that will quench your every thirst.