“For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.”
Philippians 2:27

In today’s verse, we see the Lord as Jehovah-Ropheka, which means “The LORD Who Heals You.” This comes from Exodus 15:26, where He turned the bitter waters sweet.

In Exodus 15 we see the people of Israel have been delivered out of Egypt. They have crossed over the Red Sea, and the Lord has conquered Pharaoh and his army. A beautiful picture of our salvation – that we have been delivered from the domain of darkness, and set free from sin.

Having passed through the Red Sea, we read the first song recorded for us in Scripture. It is a song of worship to the Lord. This ought to be the response of our own hearts when we consider the delivering power of God.

But then we find in verse 22 that the people of Israel began to face trials in the wilderness. They came to Marah, which means “bitter”. They could not drink the water. The wilderness was a rough place. The sand was hot. The sun was hot. And the people had no refreshment. They grumbled against Moses because the trials were too much for them. 

Moses cries out to the Lord and the Lord in His mercy provides the remedy. He shows Moses a tree, and when the tree is thrown into the water the bitter waters become sweet. What a beautiful picture of the cross of Christ being brought into the difficulties and situations that are weighing over us. 

Then the Lord gives them instruction to listen to His voice and “do that which is right in His eyes.” Here He reveals Himself to His people as the Lord who heals them and provides refreshment for them while they walk in the wilderness.

In His mercy, that is exactly what He is able to do in our lives. He turns the bitter experiences of this life into teaching moments for us, and through those experiences He grows us for His glory. This is what we read happened to Epaphroditus in Philippians 2:25-30. In this name we see Divine Pity, or compassion, and we are reminded of Lamentations 3:22-26.

Anchor for Today: The Lord Jesus is able to turn our bitter experiences into blessing, and He gives us the refreshment we need, moment by moment, until He brings us into the Father’s house.