Gratitude, Faith, and Trust

Exodus 15:22–27 (NASB95)

22Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. 23When they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter; therefore it was named Marah. 24So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” 25Then he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree; and he threw it into the waters, and the waters became sweet. There He made for them a statute and regulation, and there He tested them. 26And He said, “If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the LORD, am your healer.” 27Then they came to Elim where there were twelve springs of water and seventy date palms, and they camped there beside the waters.

Commentary - Gratitude, Faith, and Trust

Exodus 15:22-27 begins a new chapter in the Israelites’ journey as they transition from the celebration of God’s victory at the Red Sea to the challenges of life in the wilderness. In verse 22, we see the first of four crises the Israelites face on their way to Mount Sinai. After their miraculous deliverance, they travel three days into the wilderness of Shur without finding water. When they finally come to a place called Marah, the water is bitter and undrinkable. Their response is immediate: they complain to Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” This marks the beginning of a troubling pattern. Despite the incredible miracles they had just witnessed, including the parting of the Red Sea, the Israelites quickly lose sight of God’s faithfulness and providence. And to make it worse, it only took three days for them to forget the amazing things they had just seen. 

This tendency to complain rather than express gratitude is a deeply human struggle. The Israelites’ question to Moses, essentially, “What has God done for us lately?” reflects a short memory and a lack of trust. Sadly, this is not unique to the wilderness generation. Many of us find it easier to focus on what is lacking in our lives than to thank God for what He has already done. How often do we complain about what we don’t have rather than express gratitude for what we do? This passage reminds us that gratitude requires intention. Just as the Israelites needed to remember (there is that word/concept again) God’s faithfulness, we need to pause and reflect on the countless ways He has provided for us. Our Lord knew this would be a challenge for them, which is why He gives them specific moments in their lives to stop and remember what He has done. When was the last time you thanked someone you care about? More importantly, when was the last time you genuinely thanked God for His provision in your life? 

In verse 26, God speaks to the Israelites after sweetening the bitter water through Moses by showing him a tree to throw into it. God says, “If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your healer.” This verse is significant, but it has often been misunderstood. It does not promise immunity from sickness or hardship if the Israelites obey God’s commands. Instead, it assures them that God will not bring upon them the specific plagues He brought upon Egypt. This is not a promise of a pain-free life but a declaration of God’s covenantal care and a call to trust in His provision and guidance. 

The Israelites might have been tempted to believe they would be treated differently by God because of their special relationship with Him. In one sense, they were correct: God did treat them differently. However, it was not in the way they might have expected. God judged them by a higher standard because they were His covenant people. This is a powerful lesson for Christians today. As believers, we are called to live by a higher standard, reflecting the character of Christ in our actions. This does not mean we are promised a life free from hardship. In fact, the belief that obedience to God guarantees health, wealth, or ease is both unbiblical and harmful, as it turns faith into a transactional relationship and fosters judgmental attitudes toward those who suffer. 

I remember a time when this misunderstanding caused pain in my own family. When my grandfather was dying of colon cancer, his pastor told him that if he would just repent, he would be healed. This suggestion, that my grandfather’s suffering was a punishment for sin, was deeply unbiblical and unkind. Scripture does not teach that sickness or hardship is always the result of sin or a lack of faith. Instead, it teaches us to trust God through life’s trials, knowing that He is present with us and working for our ultimate good. Faith, as the New Testament reminds us, is not about expecting empirical guarantees but about trusting in God’s character and promises, even when life is hard. 

The story in Exodus 15 ends with a beautiful picture of God’s providence. After the crisis at Marah, God leads the Israelites to Elim, where they find twelve springs of water and seventy date palms; a place of abundance and rest. This reminds us that God’s plans for us are good, even when the journey includes hardship. God often uses challenges to teach us about His faithfulness and to grow our trust in Him. 

For the modern church, this passage challenges us to think about our own attitudes toward gratitude and trust. Do we, like the Israelites, quickly forget God’s faithfulness when we face difficulties? Do we complain about what we lack, or do we thank God for His provision? As Christians, we are called to live lives marked by gratitude, trusting in Jesus as our ultimate healer and sustainer. Let us remind one another to thank God daily for His goodness and to trust Him, even when our path takes us through the wilderness. And let us offer grace to those who are suffering, pointing them to the God who walks with us in every season of life. 

Blessings, 

Ryan Goodnight