Our five senses (sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste) can affect our feelings and emotions. As Christians, we must not let our five senses control our lives. Exodus 15:22-27 records an experience of the children of Israel after they had crossed the Red Sea. There are three things we can learn from their encounter.

1. Testing (Exod 15:22-24)

The children of Israel had journeyed in the wilderness of Shur for three days (Exod 15:22). They could not find water and were very exhausted and dehydrated. Soon, they found a pool of water, but were not able to drink of it because the water was bitter (Exod 15:23). They began to murmur and complain against Moses (Exod 15:24). Their thirst had caused them to forget how God had miraculously delivered them from the Egyptian army at the Red Sea three days ago. This was a test from God to the children of Israel. However, the children of Israel failed this test as they allowed their thirst to cause them to lose faith in the Almighty God.

Similarly, it is very easy for us to let our senses govern our emotions and thoughts when we face difficulties. We tend to forget God’s goodness, and how He had delivered us from our past problems. God may give us problems to test us so that we shall know our spiritual condition. 

2. Tasting (Exod 15:25)

Moses cried unto God and God removed the bitterness of the water by instructing Moses to cast a tree into the pool of water (Exod 15:25). The water became sweet and drinkable.

When faced with problems, we must always remember to seek God first, for He God will lead and guide us through our problems. As we experience God’s leading, we taste (i.e. savour and enjoy) and see God’s faithfulness, goodness and power.

3. Testimony (Exod 15:26-27)

God gave the children of Israel statutes. When they obeyed those commandments, God would bless them. God is Jehovah Rapha, “the LORD that healeth” (Exod 15:26). They were to learn to trust God, and to testify of God’s goodness and provisions for them. When we know that whatever God does in our lives is good for us, we will learn to obey and trust Him, even when we are faced with difficult situations.