22Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness and found no water.
23When they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter; therefore it was named Marah.
24So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?"
Three days are nothing in most of our lives, but for the Hebrews, three days meant the difference between rejoicing in the greatest victory of their lives and another test that prompted them to forget God and grumble again. How soon we forget the celebration when we get to a no water situation in the desert.
If you have ever been in a desert, you know how quickly your body will dry out and become desperate for water. After three days they were parched and probably many were showing signs of dehydration sickness. The many babies, children and animals were suffering. This was no small test. And as quickly as the joy came in the victory, it left in the direness of their no water situation.
Our emotions go up and down depending upon our physical situation... and we will continue to go up and down in our personal lives. However, God is the same. He is there and He hasn't forgotten us. As we stay in the word and grow in intimacy with Him, we can have greater peace even in the fearful places as well as in the great victories. In John, as the 70 Jesus sent out came back all happy that they were able to do miraculous things in Jesus' name, Jesus reminded them not to rejoice in what they did or what happened, but that their names are written in the Lamb's book of life. There is danger to forget the truth in the ups and the downs. Focusing on Christ will moderate our emotions and put us in a peaceful place of His joy!
13"In Your lovingkindness You have led the people whom You have redeemed;
In Your strength You have guided them to Your holy habitation.