God who heals, Jehovah Rapha

(Exodus 15:22–27)

Our journey of faith does not end simply with experiencing grace. Rather, there is another process that begins after grace. This is ‘spiritual growth,’ and within this process, we inevitably experience ‘growing pains.’ Just as the Israelites encountered the bitter waters of Marah immediately after crossing the Red Sea, we too may encounter trials and difficulties right from the place of grace. However, within all these processes lies a profound purpose for which God heals and helps us grow.

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1. The Growing Pains of Faith That Follow Grace

The people of Israel experienced God’s amazing miracles. Through the event of salvation where the Red Sea parted, they were moved from a place of death to a place of life. However, before that deep emotion could even fade, they suffered the agony of not being able to find water in the wilderness for three days. And the water they finally found was Marah — bitter water that could not be drunk.

This scene bears a striking resemblance to our lives of faith. We believe in Jesus and experience grace. We are filled with expectation and joy, believing that life’s problems will be resolved. However, reality is different. As soon as we receive grace, unexpected difficulties arise. We encounter various forms of “Mara,” such as health issues, relationship conflicts, and financial hardships.

Why does this happen? It is because our lives themselves are a wilderness. We have not yet reached the complete Canaan. Salvation has begun, but it is not yet complete. Therefore, God refines us through the process of the wilderness.

Just as a child experiences growing pains as they grow, our faith also accompanies pain in the process of growth. This pain is not meant to break us down, but is a process designed to help us grow stronger. Therefore, when we encounter difficulties, instead of becoming discouraged, we must remember that God is helping us grow.

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2. Crying Out in Prayer and God’s Answer

The Israelites grumbled before the bitter waters of Marah. But Moses was different. He cried out to God. Then God pointed to a tree, and when Moses threw that tree into the water, the bitter water turned sweet.

Here, we discover a very important spiritual principle: that when we encounter a problem, “crying out in prayer” is necessary. Although God already knows our situation, He wants us to seek Him and rely on Him.

“Call to Me, and I will answer you.”

As this verse says, God is certainly the One who answers. However, our problem is that we stop at crying out. We pour out our prayers, but we do not try to listen to God’s voice. Prayer is not a one-sided shouting, but communion with God. God certainly answers, and that answer is conveyed to us through His Word, inspiration, and circumstances.

And even more important is “obedience.” Moses not only heard God’s Word but obeyed it exactly. Throwing a piece of wood into the water was an act that defied human common sense, yet he did not hesitate. Through that obedience, a miracle occurred.

The same principle applies to our lives. When God speaks, if we listen and obey, amazing changes take place in our lives. Conversely, if we do not listen or obey, problems will continue to plague us.

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3. Healing and Preparation Through Obedience

God did not stop at merely healing the water at Marah. There, He revealed His important name.

“I am the LORD, who heals you.”

This statement shows that God is not merely one who solves problems, but one who heals our entire lives. He is the One who restores not only physical ailments but also emotional wounds, pain in relationships, and spiritual weakness.

And God had prepared another grace. The place the Israelites arrived at after passing through Marah was Elim. There, there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees. It was a place of abundant rest and provision.

The surprising fact is that the distance between Marah and Elim was not very far. God had already prepared abundant grace just a short distance away. If they had stayed at Marah, complaining only, they would not have been able to enjoy the blessings of Elim.

This gives us an important lesson. Our obedience does not stop at merely solving current problems, but becomes a channel leading to the greater blessings God has prepared.

God’s response manifests in two forms: one is ‘healing,’ and the other is ‘prevention.’ When we obey God’s word, He protects us from problems that are yet to come. And amidst the pain we are already experiencing, He bestows the grace of healing.

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Beloved, our lives are like a wilderness. At times we encounter the bitter waters of Marah, and at other times we face situations where there is no water at all. However, amidst all these trials, God does not abandon us. Rather, He meets us in those very places, heals us, and leads us to a deeper faith.

“In the world you will have tribulation; but be courageous, for I have overcome the world.”

Just as this scripture says, we can be courageous even in the midst of tribulation. This is because the “God who heals,” Jehovah Rapha, is with us.

Therefore, when you encounter difficulties, do not complain, but cry out to Him. And listen to the voice of God. If you have heard it, be sure to obey. Then, beyond the simple resolution of problems, we will experience the grace of spiritual growth and healing.

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Prayer

Heavenly Father,

May we not lose heart whenever we encounter Marah in the wilderness of life.

Grant us the faith to cry out to You in the midst of difficulties rather than complaining.

Also, open our ears to hear Your answers,

and grant us the courage to obey Your word.

Let us experience the grace of Jehovah Rapha, who heals,

and may we live a life of spiritual maturity through all our growing pains.

I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.