Praise the Lord, Grace & Peace, great people of our Great God…JESUS!

It has been my observation that many times when we experience the wilderness in unbelief, we are confronted with these three questions: “What?” “Where!” and “How?” It is how a Saints walks in Faith, which comprehensively answers all three questions! Hence, the answer to all the three named is GOD! The word of God assures us in 1 Cor. 10:13…”there has no temptation taken us but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, (or an “issue” ekbasin,) that ye may be able to bear it.” Whenever we get into a trial, we must be confident that, as with any trial, there is an issue, and all we need to do is follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in complete submission for the desired outcome as ordained by JESUS! Hence, for this meditation, the Lord has impressed upon me the thought, “We Have Benefited from That ROCK in a Hard Place.” To provoke further gospel provocation, I present the following scriptures to support my premise!

(Exo. 17:6)“Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.”

(Num. 20:7-8)“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.”

(1Co. 10:1-4)“Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.”

(Psa. 28:1-2)“Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit. Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.”

(Rom 8:26)“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

As I strived to establish my premise, I identified the issue in Exo. 17:1-2 “And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the Lord, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink. Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said to them, Why chide ye with me? Wherefore do ye tempt the Lord?”

My brothers and sister, the people’s proclivity was to blame the man of God for their lack of faith, complaining that he led them out of Egypt to die of thirst! It has been through personal experience that I know nothing can be more discouraging than a desperate collaborative attitude of unbelief and wickedness, which is found in the hearts of carnal men and women! This is why we give thanks to the Lord for His super abounding grace! Israel, like us, displayed how humiliating and insensitive our hearts can be when we choose to forget of the Lord’s goodness, faithfulness, and mighty acts.

The children of Israel had seen Manna descending from heaven to feed over six hundred thousand people in the wilderness but were still “ready to stone” the man of God! If Israel had been transported directly from Egypt to Canaan, we would not have experienced the negative examples they presented. Still, Paul reminds us in 1Co 10:11-12“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

My brothers and sisters, Israel’s forty years of wandering in the desert furnishes us with warning, admonition, and instruction, which proves fruitful beyond perception. From it, we learn, amongst many other things, that it is imperative that we trust God. They, as well as us, have proven on many occasions that we prefer to lean upon cobwebs, as we perpetually implore human resources, instead of the omnipotent arm of the Lord!

This mindset, of course, put Moses in a hard place, and hence, verses 4-6 state, “And Moses cried to the Lord, saying; What shall I do to this people? they be almost ready to stone me. And the Lord said to Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb, and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.”

I can see the beautiful typology of Jesus Christ coming down from heaven to give life to the world, as His Holy Spirit rendered a refreshing stream of life that gushed from the smitten rock due to His accomplished sacrifice.  Hence, Exodus 17 most definitely renders a type of the Holy Spirit “shed forth,” in virtue of Christ’s finished work as stated in 1 Cor. 10:4“They drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that, Rock was Christ.”

My brothers and sisters, no one could drink from the fountain of water until the Rock was smitten. Israel could have gazed at that Rock and died of thirst while gazing, but it was not until the Rock was smitten by the rod of God that it would yield refreshment. Through Jesus, all blessings are to flow to man. The streams of grace were designed to gush forth from “the Lamb of God,” for it was needful that the Lamb be slain so that the work of the cross be accomplished. When the Rock of Ages was smitten by the hand of God, the flood gates of eternal love were open wide so that we, as perishing sinners, would be able through the power of the Holy Spirit to “drink abundantly, deeply, and freely.”

The gift of the Holy Ghost is the result of the Son’s accomplished work upon the cross. The promise of the Father could not be fulfilled until Christ had taken His seat at the right hand of the majesty in the heavens, having wrought perfect righteousness, which answered all the claims of holiness while appeasing the wrath of God against sin by abrogating the power of death as He deprived the grave of victory! Hence, when all this was accomplished, Jesus, according to Eph. 4:8-8, “ascended up on high, led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men. Now that He ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.”

My brothers and sisters, what finite hand could bring forth water from a flinty rock? It states in, Isa.63:5“And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore, mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.”Hence, no finite human righteousness could warrant opening the floodgates of divine love. John 4:14 states;“The water that I shall give him, says Christ, shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.”In John7:37-39 states, “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink. He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the Spirit which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified.”

Hence, as in the manna, we have a type Jesus Christ as the bread of life, so it is in the stream of water that gushed from the rock in a dry wilderness that typified His Holy Spirit…“If thou knewest the gift of God, (i.e., Christ) … thou wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water,” … i.e., the Spirit.

Apostle Paul was eager to remind us that flesh will always be contrary to God’s Holy Spirit, as noted in Gal. 5:17“The flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other, so that ye should not do the things that ye would.” We can see that after the Lord sent the refreshing, the Word of God states in (Ver. 8, 9)“Then came Amalek and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said to Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill, with the rod of God in mine hand.”

My brothers and sisters, this is the first time that Israel is confronted with an evil foe after being delivered out of Egypt. The Lord had fought for them up to this point, as noted in Exo. 14. “The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” But now we hear the selected words …“choose us out men.”

Note, the Lord must now fight IN Israel, but previously, He fought FOR Israel. I need you to notice the contrast here from a typology perspective. We know there is an immense difference between Christ’s battles for us, and the Holy Spirit battles in us. With the former, victory is gained, and everlasting peace is secured. With the latter, because of our flesh, the battle perpetuates until we take our rest or are Raptured alive!

As I studied this, I acquired a vivid perspective of two adversaries at work, namely, Pharaoh and Amalek. They represented different powers of influence; Pharaoh strived to hinder Israel’s deliverance from Egypt; Amalek strived to hinder Israel from walking with God through the wilderness. Pharaoh used the things of Egypt to keep Israel from serving the Lord; he, therefore, was a type of Satan who uses “this present evil world” against the people of God. Amalek, on the other hand, was a type of the flesh. Please note that He was the grandson of Esau, who preferred a bowl of pottage over the inheritance of his birthright in Gen. 36:12. Amalek was the first who opposed Israel after their baptism “in the cloud and in the sea.”Our flesh can be our greatest enemy, Saints!

We see another example of how flesh opposes God’s will. This was exemplified by King Saul’s actions in 1 Sam. 15. Saul was rejected from being King of Israel because he chose not to destroy the seed of Amalek. Our FLESH has to be subdued and reckoned dead in the sight of Jesus Christ!

We also find that Haman was the last of the Amalekites, as noted in the scriptures in the book of Esther. He was hung on the same gallows he built for God’s faithful servant, Mordecai! Just as God declared perpetual war against Amalek, we have to declare the same against our flesh, for no Amalekite was allowed entrance into the congregation of the Lord.

Israel’s conflict began when they stood in the full power of redemption and when they had tasted “that spiritual meat and drunk of that spiritual Rock.” Before encountering Amalek, they had nothing to do. They did not cope with Pharaoh. They did not break the power of Egypt, nor did they break the chains of its thralldom. They did not divide the sea nor submerge Pharaoh’s hosts beneath the waves. They did not bring down bread from heaven or water out of the flinty rock. They did not have to do anything until they were called to fight with Amalek. All previous conflicts were between God and their enemy. All Israel had to do was “stand still” and gaze upon the mighty triumphs of God’s outstretched arm to enjoy the fruits of victory. The Lord had fought for them, but now He fights in or by them.

Hence, with the body of Jesus Christ; our victories are based on having faith, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the eternal peace and blessedness rendered by His fruits therof!

1 Cor. 15:57 states, “Thanks be to God which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” According to 1 Cor. 9:26-27“We do not, therefore, fight uncertainly or as those that beat the air, while we seek to keep under the body and bring it into subjection.”

My brothers and sisters, we must choose to fight against the works of our flesh, for we notice in verses 9-13,“And Moses said to Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill, with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.”

I truly believe from this great example that we have two distinct things, namely, conflict and intercession. Christ is on high for us, while the Holy Spirit helps us with the mighty struggle within us. This is a mutually inclusive operation as we walk by faith as Christ renders intercession on our behalf!

In Romans 6, we read, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies.” Such a precept would be entirely uncalled for if the flesh did not exist in the regenerated individual. It would be out of character to tell us not to let sin reign if it did not dwell in us. There is an excellent difference between dwelling and reigning. It dwells in a regenerated person, but it reigns in the unregenerated.

However, though sin dwells in us, we thank God we have the power over it through the power of the Holy Spirit. “Sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” This grace, by the blood of the cross putting away sin, ensures us victory over its indwelling nature through the Holy Spirit!“And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.” The result was victory, and God’s banner floated over the triumphant host, bearing the sweet and heart-sustaining inscription, “Jehovah-Nissi” (the Lord my banner).

Saints, I must highlight the contrast between Moses on the hill and Christ on the throne. The hands of our great Intercessor, Jesus, can never hang down. His intercession never fluctuates. For it states in Heb 7:25“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”His intercession is never-ceasing and all-prevailing. Having taken His place on high, in the power of divine righteousness, He acts for us according to what He is and according to the infinite perfection in what He has done.

My brothers and sisters, please note that Moses had the rod of God with him on the hill; it was the same rod he used to smite the rock. This rod was an expression and a symbol of the omnipotence of God, an expression of atonement and intercession. When the work of atonement was accomplished, Christ took His seat in heaven and sent down the Holy Spirit to take His abode in the Church so that there is an inseparable connection between the work of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.

All these types and shadows indicate to how we have been positioned to speak to our Rock, Jesus Christ. Hence, we are given another scene of sorrow and testing in the desert, noted in Number 20:2-5 for Israel, “And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the Lord! And why have ye brought up the congregation of the Lord into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there? And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us to this evil place? It is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink.”

I perceive there was a spirit of discouragement upon Moses. I can only imagine how the encounter must have been to hear over six hundred thousand murmurers come before him with perpetual unbelief! Num. 20:6“And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the Lord appeared to them.”

I find it profoundly touching to see Moses, again and again, on his face before God. “They fell upon their faces: and the glory of the Lord appeared to them.” They do not appear, on this occasion, to have responded to the people; “they went from the presence of the assembly” and cast themselves before the living God. Who but the God of all grace could meet all the necessities of wilderness life? Saints, remember what Moses said at the beginning: “If thy presence go not with us, carry us not up hence.” Moses was right and wise in his expression. God’s divine presence was the only answer to meet the demand of the congregation, for His resources are inexhaustible. The wilderness proves what is in us, and thanks be to God; it brings out what is in Him for us.

Num 20:7-11“And the Lord spake to Moses, saying, Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye to the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink. And Moses took the rod from before the Lord as he commanded him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock; and he said to them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly; and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.”

There are two things in this previous scripture that I want to draw attention to! The “The Rock” and “The Rod” represent something very essential in Jesus Christ! Paul let us know in 1 Cor.10:4, “They drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” “That Rock was Christ” smitten for us.

My brothers and sisters, please note something here: the Rod, in this instance, was not meant to be one of authority or power because this was exemplified before when God commanded Moses to smite the rock! Please understand this would not suit the occasion because the Lord told Moses to SPEAK to the ROCK this time! The rod had done its work. It had smitten the rock once, and that was enough! Because the rod of judgment was pronounced upon the Rock for us, Moses was told to speak to the Rock! I reiterate that the water from the rock was a type pointing to the Holy Spirit that dwells in us today! He, who regenerated us, has afforded us to speak to Jesus and counsel with Him on a perpetual basis. You and I now have access to Him to intercede with our hearts and lips in all matters of conversation. This is why we must be prayed up, confessed up, and remain ready to go up! Moses allowed the children of Israel to frustrate him, and hence, because it remained in his heart, he failed to execute the command of the Lord thoroughly! He missed going into the promised land because the people frustrated him. Pastors, please do not allow God’s sheep to frustrate you and cause you to fall short of your destiny!

God was trying to show Moses a new thing that pointed to this day. We can now speak to the ROCK freely because we possess the streaming water Jesus has given us access to.  Rom 8:26-27states, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

My brothers and sisters, we have benefited so much from the types and foreshadows presented to us in the Word of God, as stated in 1Co 10:11-13 “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”We should all be so grateful that after the fall of Adam, everything pointed to our solution, Jesus Christ; hence, without a doubt, “We Have Benefited from That Rock in a Hard Place.” I pray you strive to have a “JESUS DAY.”