Water from the Flint

Who turned the rock into a pool of water, 

The flint into a fountain of waters—Psalm 114:8

This song is set against the backdrop of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness and an occasion on which God drew water from a rock (Numbers 20:1-11; Deuteronomy 8:15). Here, the poet underscores the fact that the rock was a massive piece of flint.

Flint is a hard, non-porous quartz, a highly improbable source of water, yet “(God) opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river” (Psalm 105:41).

God delights in serendipity! He can turn the least promising situation into a source of deep satisfaction and joy. 

We face hard stuff every day: stubborn people, unyielding circumstances, intractable physical challenges—whatever. These can be provocations to useless complaining, or opportunities for God to reveal His love.

God’s love doesn't mean that He necessarily takes our difficulties away; it does mean that He gives grace to make our way through them. He gives us all the help we need. All we have to do is ask.  “Speak to the rock.” God said.

Paul saw the rock as a “spiritual” rock, an allegory: “(Israel) drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and the Rock was Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4). His point? Hard stuff is always with us...but so is Jesus.

Facing a hard task today? Help is at hand. Ask for it. “There is no rock like our God” (1 Samuel 2:2).

I will pour water on him that is thirsty,

I will pour floods upon the dry ground;

Open your hearts for the gifts I am bringing;

While you are seeking Me, I will be found. —Lucy Meyer

David Roper

5/7/17