Lord of mercy,
the people quarreled at Meribah,
their lips dry,
their faith brittle,
their memory short.
They cried, “Why have you brought us here to die?”
as if Egypt had been life,
as if slavery had been hope.
How quickly we forget Your deliverance
when thirst burns our throats.
O God, forgive me for my grumbling.
When lack sharpens my hunger,
when need stings my heart,
I complain instead of trust,
I accuse instead of pray.
Teach me to bring my thirst to You,
not with clenched fists
but with open hands.
For You are the fountain of living water,
the rock that never runs dry.
Moses, weary and angry,
struck the rock instead of speaking.
His disobedience cost him entry to the land.
Lord, keep me from letting frustration
steal my obedience.
Guard me from letting anger
drive my choices.
Even leaders stumble,
even the faithful falter.
Keep my heart soft
so that I may hear and obey,
even in seasons of weariness.
Edom refused Israel passage,
closing the road with sword and threat.
The way forward was blocked,
the path denied.
Lord, remind me that not every door
is opened by Your will.
Teach me to trust closed paths
as much as open ones.
When opposition rises,
let me not despair
for You always make another way.
And then, Lord, Aaron climbed the mountain.
There, his priestly garments were removed,
laid on his son,
a transfer of calling,
a reminder that even the greatest servants
are but dust.
Aaron died,
and the people wept thirty days.
Lord, teach me to number my days.
Even priests fall,
even leaders pass,
but You remain forever.
Let me not cling to men
but to the eternal Priest,
Christ Jesus,
who never dies,
whose priesthood cannot be transferred.
So today I pray
quench my thirst with Your Spirit,
guard my obedience in my weakness,
redirect my steps when roads are shut,
and remind me of the brevity of life.
Let me drink deeply from Christ, the Rock.
Let me rest securely in Christ, the Priest.
And let me walk forward,
whether through wilderness or promise,
trusting always in You.
In the name of Jesus,
the Living Water
and the Eternal High Priest,
Amen.