Psalm 105:23-45

“He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it ran in the dry places like a river.” (Psalm 105:41, NKJV)

Psalm 105 celebrates the works of the LORD on behalf of Israel. God delivered the people from Egypt through His servant Moses. Then He brought them into the wilderness. The people complained because they didn’t have enough water. Therefore, God told Moses to strike the rock, and water came out so the people could drink.

In his first letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul wrote about these wilderness experiences. Then he said that these things have become our examples so that we won’t lust for evil things as they also lusted (1 Corinthians 10:6). The rock that they drank from was figurative of Christ. He was struck once and living water came forth from Him.

Now toward the end of their forty-year wilderness journey the people became thirsty again and complained against Moses. This time the LORD told Moses to speak to the rock and water would come out. But instead Moses lost his temper:

“’Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?’ Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank.” (Numbers 20:10–11, NKJV)

The water came out, but Moses had disobeyed. Because he misrepresented the LORD, Moses could not enter the Promised Land. God was giving a picture that Christ would be struck once to give us living water to quench our spiritual thirst. But now we simply ask Jesus for the living water of His Holy Spirit, and we will receive (John 7:37-39).

Believers sometimes go through spiritual dry places. God does not seem as near to us as He once did. He does not answer our prayers as quickly as before. Spiritual disciplines were once a joy to us, but now they seem like a chore. We read the Bible, but it doesn’t feel like we’re getting anything out of it. Don’t panic. Spiritual droughts can happen in the lives of God’s people. But always remember that Christ is your Rock. If you are thirsty, He invites you to come to Him and drink freely, and rivers of living water will flow out of your heart. It may be a dry spell now, but God supplies your needs. He gives the Holy Spirit to all who ask Him (Luke 11:13).