What is your OQ (Offendability Quotient)? This weekend Pastor Steve Andres continued our MOSES series with a message about moving beyond bitterness.
Exodus 15:22-24
Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”
It only took three days for the Israelites to go from the Red Sea praise party to protest and grumbling. The wilderness was part of God’s plan for Israel, but they began complaining at the first obstacle they encountered.
1) Being offended can make you BLIND to God’s goodness.
The people of Israel are offended that the waters are bitter. Their complaining made it impossible for them to focus on God’s goodness.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
When you practice rejoicing and thanksgiving, you find yourself on the downhill side of God’s will, and the rest of his plan will come easily. You already have all the reasons you need to give thanks to the Lord!
2) Staying offended will make you BITTER.
Offense is a fork in the road. It is a decision moment to press on or be a quitter, to deal with the offense or become bitter.
Luke 17:1
Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Offenses will certainly come.”
According to Jesus, being offended is inevitable. Staying offended is optional. The danger is not when offense comes, but when it takes root. A root of bitterness will choke out every good gift that God has given us to enjoy.
3) BLESSING is found on the far side of bitterness.
Before Israel could arrive at Elim and its plentiful water supply, they had to go through Marah. How do you move beyond bitterness? God used a tree to transform the waters of Marah from bitter to sweet.
Exodus 15:25
Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink.
On a tree, Jesus chose to accept the bitter judgment that we deserved, bringing blessing to our lives that outweighs every struggle we endure! Because of the cross, we can see every bitter experience transformed to serve God’s good purposes for our lives!
Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us!
