7 Portraits in Prayer, Day 1: Evening

 Week 1, Power to Pray, Day 1: A Spiritual Purpose

(Read Exodus 17:1–7; John 7:38-39, 14:1-21; 1 Corinthians 10:4–7, 13)

 Prior to going to battle, Israel was in great need of water. In an arid land, God led them to a dry place. In this evening’s reading, the people asked, “Is the Lord with us or not?”

As believers, we have the Living Waters of the Holy Spirit within us (see John 7:38-39), so we can answer definitely “YES, the Lord is with us!” This evening’s devotional reminds us that He is both with us and in us. John 14:17 says, “the Spirit of truth…dwells with you and will be in you.” It is reassuring to underline how many times in John 14 that Jesus said that God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, will be with and in us. God “abides” or “makes His home” in the believer through the Holy Spirit.

In Exodus 15, the people murmured against Moses about being thirsty after finding only bitter waters. Moses again cried to God in prayer in chapter 17 and both times, God heard his cry. Prayer in times of need reminds us of the purpose of prayer: rather than “murmuring,” that is, complaining, we should pray expectantly for His power to answer.

Exodus 17:1 calls this place Rephidim, a place of resting. In verse 7, because of the temptation and striving that Israel brought about, Moses renames the area as “Massah” which means temptation and “Meribah” which means striving.

When we are tempted to test the Lord, we need to rest in knowing that God is with us. In 1 Corinthians 10:4, Paul unpacks Exodus 17:1–7, explaining “all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.” Moses struck the rock, symbolizing Christ, who was struck for our sins and transgressions. When Moses struck the rock, water flowed. When Christ was struck, the Holy Spirit flows into those who put their faith in Him. These Biblical “portraits” were given as examples for our encouragement (1 Corinthians 10:7).

Also in 1 Corinthians 10, Paul reassures us that we all go through the valley of striving and temptation. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

The purpose of prayer is to release within you the refreshing power of the Holy Spirit to reassure us of His presence with us. As a result, we will have the spiritual strength and can win our battles.

Drink deeply. The Lord is with you.

 Pray this prayer to God: “Dear God, this world has made me thirsty for Your presence. Thank you for being Emmanuel, God with us, through the Spirit of Christ who resides in me. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.”

Click here for Day 2, Morning