“So Moses cried out to the Lord for help, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. Moses threw it into the water, and this made the water good to drink.”
Exodus 15:25 (NLT)
Like many things in life, bitterness has a “root” and a “fruit.” Scientists call that cause and effect. Roots, or the reason for bitterness, could be resentment, continued disappointment, unforgiveness, unresolved anger, etc. Fruit, or the results of bitterness, could be isolation, rage, negative attitude, despising wise counsel, giving up on our dreams, and I am sure you can think of a few more. Too often in life we look to deal with the fruit of bitterness rather than attacking the roots of our bitterness. In Exodus 15:22-27, the Bible tells us a story of how God helped the people of Israel move on from a place of bitterness. He was trying to get them from a place called Marah to a place called Elim. Marah was a place of lack, complaining and bitterness – this manifested in bitter water to drink. Elim was a place of abundance and prosperity – that manifested in more than enough fresh and clean water for them all.
Before taking the people of Israel to Elim, the Lord had to heal the bitter waters of Marah, and we read in verse 25 how He did it. First, we see Moses cry out to the Lord for help. To get healed from the bitterness of our past we first have to open our hearts to the Holy Spirit to search every secret and hidden part of our heart. We must allow Him to get to the very root of our bitterness. Next the Lord showed Moses a piece of wood. A seemingly ordinary, uneventful, plain piece of wood but that wood represents the Cross of Jesus Christ. Once the Holy Spirit reveals to us the root of our bitterness, we must immediately take it to the Cross. Allow the Blood of Jesus to uproot, heal, and cleanse us from the root of bitterness in our lives. The third thing that Moses needed to do was throw the wood in the water. It was not enough for Moses to simply see the piece of wood, he had to do something with it. This represents obedience. It is not enough to simply acknowledge the Cross or know about the Cross, we have to do something with it. There has to be an act of faith on our part. It could be forgiving the people who hurt you, or it could be taking responsibility for the parts you played. Whatever the Lord instructs you to do, do it quickly!
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
I would get really challenged at times when people did not do what they said they were going to do. A while ago, I got really upset with someone over a situation like this. I mean, ashamedly upset. It was with someone I love and for something so small, but it got to the point that I did not care that I was letting anger and strife control my emotions and actions. While I was there feeling the weight of my guilt and shame of my actions, I cried out to the Lord for help. I asked Him why do I continue to feel this anger and hurt when I feel let down by those I love. It was in this moment where He revealed that numerous times, I tried to address the fruit of my bitterness, but I have never let Him heal the root of my bitterness.
My mom was really young when she had me. She was 14 about to turn 15 in a couple of weeks. I know she did the best that she could, and looking back I know now that she was just a child herself, who was still growing up. But as a kid you don’t really know that or understand that. You only know you want your mom, but she was not around when you needed her. The Holy Spirit revealed to me that night, those times where promises were broken, and words were not kept even when I was a young child. And He showed me the wounds and scars of bitterness that formed in my heart because of that. I immediately repented to God for keeping that part of my heart from Him. I then repented to the person who I hurt with my anger and bitterness. And then I called my mom and repented to her for harboring that bitterness and unforgiveness in my heart. I am glad to say both relationships are restored and thriving! I have freedom from the bitterness of my past and to keep my freedom I continue to allow God to examine my heart and encounter His Cross! (Rick Abordo)
TODAY’S DECLARATION
Today, I open my heart to you Lord. Search and examine every part of my heart, every hidden crevice, every secret spot. Grant me a deeper revelation of Your Cross, Jesus. Show me the areas that I still need healing. I uproot whatever was not planted by You and I will do what You lead me to do.”
TODAY’S BIBLE READING
Our Bible Reading Plan gives 25 daily readings per month. There is no scheduled reading for today. You can use this time to catch up on any readings you may have missed, or read through previous passages again.
