What happens after the spiritual mountaintop experience?
Often our spiritual lives are defined by dramatic, amazing experiences - what we might call "mountaintop experiences." The Israelites had just experienced God's supernatural power at the Red Sea, where they "feared Yahweh and trusted in Him and His servant Moses." But these monumental experiences aren't meant to be the entirety of our spiritual journey.
Instead, these powerful moments are designed to point us toward trusting God in our everyday lives. They show us who God is, not so we'll constantly hunt for another spiritual high, but so we can trust Him and walk with Him daily.
How does God test His people?
In Exodus 15-17, we see three stories that share a common theme: testing. In these tests, we discover that Yahweh provides for His people. But this doesn't mean we do nothing - it means we need to actively seek God's provision for our whole person.
Test 1: Bitter Water at Marah (Exodus 15:22-27)
After three days without water, the Israelites found water at Marah, but it was bitter and undrinkable. They grumbled against Moses, who cried out to the Lord. God showed Moses a piece of wood to throw into the water, making it drinkable.
God then issued "a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test." He promised that if they would listen carefully to Him and follow His commands, He would not bring on them the diseases He brought on the Egyptians, declaring "I am the Lord who heals you."
Test 2: Manna in the Desert (Exodus 16)
When the Israelites grumbled about food, God promised to "rain down bread from heaven" and said, "In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions." The test had two parts:
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Gather only enough for one day (except on the sixth day)
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Gather twice as much on the sixth day for the Sabbath
The Israelites struggled with both parts of this test. Some kept leftovers overnight (which rotted), and some went out on the seventh day to gather (finding none).
Test 3: Water from the Rock (Exodus 17:1-7)
At Rephidim, the people again faced a water shortage. This time, instead of God testing Israel, the people tested God, asking "Is the Lord among us or not?" Moses struck a rock with his staff (the same one used in the plagues of Egypt), and water came out for the people.
How do we learn to trust God's provision?
These three tests teach us important principles about trusting God's provision:
- Bring your problems to God — When problems hit on ordinary days, we should still bring those problems to the Lord. The Israelites complained to Moses, who took their concerns to God, and God provided solutions.
- Learn to listen to God — God told the Israelites, "If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees..." This listening happens in several ways:
• Through direct impressions from the Holy Spirit
• Through ethical discernment (doing what's right in God's eyes)
• Through following clear instructions in Scripture
Many of us pray without leaving time to listen. Building quiet into our day helps us hear God's voice. - Follow God's rhythms — The manna story established important rhythms for God's people:
Daily dependence: The supernatural daily food trained Israel to rely on Yahweh each day. What God provided yesterday isn't enough for today - we need fresh provision daily.
Sabbath rest: The weekly rhythm of six days work, one day rest taught Israel to rest in God's presence. While the New Testament gives flexibility about which day, the principle remains important. If your work is primarily physical, your rest might need to be mental; if your work is intellectual, your rest might need to be physical.
Remembrance: God instructed them to save a portion of manna for future generations. This "token meal" taught future generations that the God who provided for their ancestors is the same God they could trust.
Life Application
Don't wait for a spiritual health crisis to seek God. Just as we shouldn't neglect our physical health until something breaks down, we shouldn't neglect our spiritual well-being until we're desperate for rescue.
Instead, learn to trust and obey God in the ordinary moments of life. Build daily and weekly rhythms that help you connect with God regularly:
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Seek God daily through prayer and Scripture, recognizing your need for fresh provision
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Practice Sabbath rest as a gift, not a burden
- Remember God's faithfulness in the past to strengthen your faith for today
Questions to consider:
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What daily rhythms could you establish to help you depend on God?
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How might you incorporate true rest into your weekly schedule?
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In what areas of your life do you need to trust God's provision right now?
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Are you waiting for a crisis to seek God, or are you building healthy spiritual habits today?
Remember: The God who parted the Red Sea is the same God who provides for you today. He is faithful in both the monumental moments and in the ordinary day-to-day experiences of life.