Water Flows from a Rock

The Israelites were traveling through the hot, dry desert. The sun was beating down, and everyone was getting very, very thirsty. But when they set up camp at a place called Rephidim, there was a big problem—no water anywhere! The people became angry and scared. Instead of asking God nicely for help, they yelled at Moses. 'Why did you bring us out here to die of thirst?' they shouted. 'Our children are thirsty! Our animals are thirsty! We're all going to die!' They were so mad that Moses thought they might throw stones at him! Moses didn't know what to do, so he prayed to God. 'Lord, help me! The people are so angry they might hurt me!' God had a plan. He told Moses, 'Take your walking stick—the same one you used when I did miracles in Egypt. Bring the leaders of the people with you, and I'll meet you at a big rock on the mountain.' Moses obeyed. He walked to the rock with the leaders following behind him. God said, 'Now hit the rock with your stick.' That seemed strange! How could hitting a rock give them water? But Moses trusted God. He lifted his stick and struck the rock hard. Suddenly—whoosh! Water came gushing out of the solid rock! Fresh, clean, cold water poured out like a river. All the people drank. Their children drank. All their animals drank. There was plenty for everyone! God had done the impossible. Moses called that place Massah and Meribah, which mean 'testing' and 'arguing,' to remind the people that they should trust God instead of complaining. God always takes care of His people!