When a Rock Is Exactly What You Need

Rock, Paper, Scissors

How many of you have ever played rock, paper, scissors? It's a game most of us know well. Rock breaks scissors. Paper covers rock. Scissors cuts paper. And if you both choose the same thing, it's a tie. The great thing about rock, paper, scissors is that each time you play, you have a chance to win.

Each One Has Its Purpose

Rock, paper, and scissors are all useful in their own way. If you want to write a letter, a rock or scissors wouldn't be much help — but a piece of paper would be. If you want to cut a piece of paper, a rock wouldn't be much help — but a pair of scissors would.

But what if you're really thirsty and need a drink of water? A piece of paper or a pair of scissors wouldn't be much help. But a rock might be exactly what you need.

Wait — what? That might sound a bit crazy. But in today's Bible story, that's exactly what happened. A rock helped people when they were thirsty.

Water from the Rock

Do you know what it's like to be really thirsty? It can give you a headache, make you feel dizzy, and leave you desperate for a drink. All people need to drink water lots of times a day to keep feeling well.

Moses had helped the Israelites out of Egypt and was leading them to a better place. On the way, they got really thirsty and started complaining to Moses. Moses didn't know what to do, so he went and talked to God.

God listened and told Moses what to do. He was to go and hit a particular rock with his staff. Moses did what God told him to do, and water started flowing out. There was enough water for everyone to have a drink — and all the animals too.

What We Can Learn from Moses

We can learn something important from Moses. When he didn't know what to do, he turned to God. He didn't try to figure it out on his own. He didn't panic. He asked God for help.

And God listened. God always listens. And God helped Moses find an answer.

We can ask God for help when we don't know what to do, and God will listen and help us find an answer.

So the next time you feel stuck, or worried, or unsure of what to do — remember Moses and the rock. God provided in an unexpected way then, and God can do the same for us today.