Turn Bitterness into Sweetness focus!
Hello, all Royal Prayer Guards and all who join!
Thank you for your faithfulness in being about the Father’s business!
Luke 2:49
And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?"
This prayer focus is directed to those in Christ.
Many times, life circumstances can be bitter. So, what can we do? We either live with bitterness or turn bitterness into sweetness.
Turn bitterness into sweetness.
The book of Exodus 15:22-25 reveals some helpful insights to manifest sweetness. I will make this as plain as possible.
Exodus 15:22-25
22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water.
23 Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah.
24 And the people complained against Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?"
25 So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. There He made a statute and an ordinance for them. And there He tested them...
Summary, observations, and insights:
Moses finished the Lord’s work of bringing Israel from the red sea. (Verse 22)
Moses finished what he had started.
Then they went for three days in the wilderness. (Verse 22
Sometimes we enter a dry place in our life. Or trials, tribulations, and sufferings.
They found no water. (Verse 22)
Many times, we cannot find what we are looking for.
When they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. (Verse 23)
When we do discover what we are looking for it can be bitter or painful.
Then the people complained against Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?" (Verse 24)
Complaining, and murmuring…, are not the answer.
Then Moses cried out to the LORD. (Verse 25)
Moses was wise and went to the Lord, his God!
Then the LORD showed him a tree. (Verse 25)
If we acknowledge the Lord, He will show us the answer.
When Moses obeyed and cast the tree into the waters, the waters were made sweet. (Verse 25)
When we do things God’s way, (Obedience) He will do what He said.
No matter what the circumstances, God will make our bitter or painful situation sweet.
Sometimes when we are in difficult circumstances (Not because the Lord caused them but rather because we live in an imperfect world, among imperfect people, plus, our adversary the devil…) the Lord will test us to see if we will be faithful to Him during sufferings… (Verse 25)
We need not complain about lack or difficult situations (Suffering) but rather be thankful that God is faithful and will care for His children. He will bring us through.
Is there anything too hard for the Lord?
Jeremiah 32:27
Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for Me?
Remember these portions of God’s word when we face the sufferings of life.
Romans 8:17
And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory.
2 Corinthians 1:5
For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
Recognize it is the sufferings of Christ not unnecessary sufferings of our own doing.
In other words, there will be sufferings for all those in Christ, however, our goal should be to avoid unnecessary suffering of our own wrongdoing.
Suggested applications and prayers for those in Christ:
1. Finish what we start.
2. Understand that there will be times of dryness, trials, tribulations, and suffering.
3. Realize that when we do discover what we are looking for it can be bitter.
4. Trust God to turn any bitterness into sweetness.
5. Avoid Complaining, and murmuring, …
6. Pray John 16:23-24 when bitterness arises in our life. Pray that the Father shows you what to do in each situation.
7. Be Obedient to what God said in His word.
8. Be Faithful during trials…
9. Believe God to take you through suffering.
10. Be thankful that God is faithful and will care for His children.
11. Recognize the difference between the sufferings of Christ and unnecessary sufferings of our own doing.
12. Memorize Jeremiah 32:27.
Jeremiah 32:27
Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for Me?
Insights:
Even true believers, in seasons of sharp trial, will be tempted to fret, distrust, and murmur. But in every trial we should cast our care upon the Lord, and pour out our hearts before him. We shall then find that a submissive will, a peaceful conscience, and the comforts of the Holy Ghost, will render the bitterest trial tolerable, yea, pleasant. Moses did what the people had neglected to do; he cried unto the Lord. And God provided graciously for them. He directed Moses to a tree which he cast into the waters, when, at once, they were made sweet. Some make this tree typical of the cross of Christ, which sweetens the bitter waters of affliction to all the faithful, and enables them to rejoice in tribulation.
Matthew Henry Concise Bible Commentary.
Thank you,
Pastor Vince Marino
Surefooted Ministries
Royal Prayer Guards