Worth More Than Water – March 9, 2026
The whole Israelite community . . . camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the LORD to the test?” But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. Then Moses cried out to the LORD “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.” The LORD answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” Exodus 17:1-7 (selected verses)
Worth More Than Water
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Have you ever been REALLY thirsty? Like after recess? Or soccer practice? Or playing outside on a super hot day? Without food, a person can live for quite a while. But without water? Only about three days! That means water isn’t just nice to have. It’s something our bodies absolutely need.
Most of us can just turn on a faucet and—splash!—there’s water. We use water to drink, brush our teeth, shower, wash dishes, water plants, and even have water balloon fights! We have LOTS of water.
But not everywhere is like that. Some places are called deserts. A desert is a place that gets very, very little rain. One of the driest deserts in the whole world is called the Atacama Desert in Chile. It is said to be 100 times drier than Phoenix, AZ. Some parts of the desert have gone years without rain! Imagine waiting years for rain! Plants that grow there have to survive with almost no water. But people? People can’t survive like that.
Now imagine the Israelites. They had just left Egypt, and they were traveling through the desert. It was hot. It was dry. And they were thirsty. Very thirsty. They started to complain. But they forgot something important: They were not alone. God was with them. And God promises to take care of his people.
So God told Moses to do something amazing. He said, “Strike the rock, and water will come out of it.” Water. From a rock! And it worked. God gave his thirsty people exactly what they needed.
But God didn’t just give them water. And he doesn’t just give us water either. God gives us food, water, homes, and families. But he gives us something even more important. He gives us salvation. Just like a desert can’t make its own water, we can’t make our own salvation. We can’t be good enough to earn heaven. We can’t fix our sins by ourselves.
And when we complain like the Israelites did—or forget to trust God—that shows us how much we need a Savior. And God gave us one. He didn’t just bring water from a rock. He sent Jesus. That is worth more than water. That is worth everything. Let’s never forget it.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, you alone provide everything that I need for my body and life. Most of all, you provide what I need for eternal life: Jesus. Thank you! Now help me to trust you and not complain. Amen.
The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.
Questions for Younger Children
- Where were the Israelites traveling that made it hard to find water?
- We need water to live physically. We need God’s Word to live spiritually. How is the Bible like water for our faith?
Questions for Elementary Age Children
- The Israelites complained to Moses—but who were they really complaining against? What does that teach us about complaining?
- In your own words, what did Jesus do to save you? Why couldn’t we save ourselves?
Questions for Middle School and Above
- Where do you complain the most (Homework, chores, siblings, bedtime)?
- God gave the Israelites water in the desert. Water can remind us of Baptism. How does your Baptism show that God has already given you forgiveness and made you his child?
