The whole "fight" started with thirst. The Hebrews are thirsty, and they complain to Moses in the most negative tone - they accuse him of taking them away from Egypt just so they would die of thirst in the wilderness.
Moses, in turn, complains to God about the lousy job he's been given.
It would seem that in a moment of thirst - of concern and discomfort, they have completely forgotten the way God handled Pharaoh, the way God gives manna, the way God sweetened the water at Marah. If anything, God has demonstrated that he is committed to provide and care for them. They just have to ask.
Yet instinctively, they treat God as the enemy. Instead of asking, they complain and accuse, and tantrum. They are human to the core - like us.
The cross is our sign of how God is on our side, how he is for us, how he provides for us and fends for us. But just like the Hebrews, we resort of complains, accusations and tantrums at the first sign of concern and discomfort.
But as with us, God does not hold our humanity against us. He hear our cries for help through the complaints, accusations and tantrums, and he gives water - or whatever it is we need to live.
So Moses names the place "testing and quarrelling" as if to say, "when you meet challenging times, do you turn on God and each other, or is there a better way?"
Write
Think about your faith story: how have you responded to challenging times in your life? How have you turned on God or your friends when you felt concern or discomfort?
in your life presently, how what concerns you and cause you grief? In what ways you think God is not with you? Who are the people you are turning on?
Who do you know feels challenged and turning on God and people?
Pray
What
is God saying to you today? What's Good News to you?
Talk to God about the ways you respond to concerns and discomfort. Thank God for the way he does not hold your complaints against you, but hears your cries for help through the complaints, accusations and tantrums.
Pray about your present concerns and discomforts. Ask God for the help you need, the reassureance of his presence, and the courage to see God as your ally and not your enemy.
Pray for your friend who feels challenged. Ask God to give you the opportunity to support your friend.
Pray for an experience of God's love, grace and mercy in the way he hears your complain, and the way he cultivates maturity and faith through challenging times..