Healed by the Lord

Exodus 15:26 (ESV) — "I am the LORD, your healer."

Have you ever reached a place in life that was supposed to refresh you, but instead it left you bitter? That’s what happened to the Israelites in Exodus 15. After crossing the Red Sea, they were led to water—but it was undrinkable. They called the place Marah, meaning "bitter."

It was there, in the bitterness, that God revealed a new name: Yahweh-Rapha, "The Lord who heals you."

God didn’t just sweeten the water. He used the moment to test and teach His people. Their complaints revealed their hearts. And through Moses’ obedience, God turned bitterness into sweetness.

God still works that way today. He does not waste our pain. He uses it to show us what is inside, to grow our trust, and to point us back to the cross—the tree that turns bitterness into healing.

Sometimes healing is immediate. Other times, it is a process. And often, it is deeper than physical—it is emotional, spiritual, or relational. The Lord doesn’t just fix symptoms. He restores our souls.

You might be walking through your own "Marah" today. Maybe it is a sickness, a struggle, or a season of silence. But do not give up. God has not left you. Elim—a place of refreshing—is ahead. Keep walking. Keep trusting. He is still Yahweh-Rapha.

What is the bitter water in your life right now? Have you cried out to God and trusted Him to bring healing in His time and way?

Prayer:
Lord, You are Yahweh-Rapha, my Healer. When life turns bitter, remind me of the cross. Heal my heart, restore my hope, and lead me to Your place of peace. I trust You to finish what You started. In Jesus' name, Amen.