He named the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites complained, and because they tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” (Exodus 17:7)
As I was reading those words, it struck me that there are two ways the Israelites could have been saying those words.
They could have been hurting, and saying, “God, I don’t get it. Are you really with us? We have no water. Unless you do something, we’re going to die. Please help us.”
Or they could have been defiant, saying, “Well, God, are you with us or not? What? Are you just going to let us die out here? What kind of God are you, anyway?”
From the way that Moses responded, it seems that the Israelites were speaking more from defiance.
In fact, he warned them against that kind of attitude later. (Deuteronomy 6:16)
When we go through trials, it’s easy to get tossed around by our emotions. And in our hurt, it’s okay for us to express our doubts, our pain, and our fears.
David did this all the time in the Psalms.
But one thing we must guard against is a defiant attitude. To feel like we are in a position to judge God.
We are not. There is so much he knows that we don’t.
And so when we’re hurting, when we don’t understand, we need to take a humble attitude with God.
Satan would have us question God’s goodness, and he would use our trials to destroy our trust in God.
Don’t let him do it.
Instead let’s remember Peter’s words, clinging to God’s goodness, his faithfulness, and his love toward us.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.
Be sober-minded, be alert.
Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.
Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.
The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while.” (1 Peter 5:6-10)
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 