Strike the Rock and Water Will Come Out!

By Danny Saavedra

“Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.”—Exodus 17:6 (NKJV)

It happened again. The people were thirsty, restless, and ready to revolt. They quarreled with Moses, demanding water and questioning God’s presence: “Is the Lord among us or not?” (Exodus 17:7 NIV). They had seen His power at the Red Sea and tasted His provision in the manna, yet their faith evaporated in the desert heat.

Moses, weary and overwhelmed, did what every leader and believer must learn to do: He cried out to God. Surrounded by millions of angry, desperate people, he asked, “What am I to do with these people?” (Exodus 17:4 NIV). And the Lord responded with a strange but sacred command. He told Moses to take the same staff that struck the Nile, stand before the elders, and strike a rock.

That command didn’t make sense. How could hitting a rock quench a nation’s thirst? But Moses obeyed, and as his staff struck the stone, water gushed out, pouring life into the wilderness. God turned a hard, lifeless place into a fountain of mercy.

In that moment, Moses stood as a representative of Israel before God, striking the rock on their behalf. Judgment and mercy collided. The rod that symbolized divine authority—once lifted in plagues, once raised in deliverance—now fell upon the rock, and life flowed out.

Do you see it? Do you see the incredible prophetic picture of something far greater? Almost 1,500 years later, the true Rock of our salvation (Daniel 2:24–45; Isaiah 26:4), Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came forth. And He would stand before His people once again. This time it wasn’t on Mt. Horeb, but on Calvary. There, the rod of judgment fell not on Israel, but on Christ Himself. The Rock of Ages was struck, pierced, and wounded for our transgressions so that by His blood, living water might flow to all who believe. As John records, when the soldier pierced Jesus’ side, “blood and water came out” (John 19:34 NKJV). From His death came our life.

And just as Moses’ strike brought water to sustain the Israelites, Jesus offers water that will never run dry. In His conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well, He says, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water. . . . Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:10–14 NIV).

That’s the invitation of Christmas: to come and worship the Rock of Ages, the Rock who would 33 years later be struck. Come and drink deeply of His grace and know that because He thirsted on the cross, you never will again. His Spirit now lives within you . . . a well that will never run dry. So, when your soul feels parched and you wonder, “Is the Lord among us or not?”, remember the Rock.

Put It To Practice: Pray

Prayer is about talking to God. You can pray anywhere, whether you’re in the car, in your room, or walking in the grocery store! You can pray on your own in quiet or with others. You can pray out loud to God or in written words. You can kneel, sit, walk, you name it, and God will be there to listen and communicate with you. Today, practice prayer by praying “Lord, I thirst for you.” Then, spend five minutes in silence, and express your gratitude to God.

For the Family

Today’s Main Idea: Jesus, the Living Water, was struck so we could be satisfied forever.

Ask Together:

1. What do you think it means that Jesus is our “Living Water”?
2. When you feel sad, tired, or worried, how can you ask Jesus to fill your heart and help you feel strong again?

Prayer

Jesus, You are the Rock of Ages that was struck for me. You took the blow I deserved and poured out life where there was only death. Thank You for quenching my deepest thirst with Your presence and grace. Help me to come to You daily, to drink deeply, and to point others to the fountain that never runs dry. In Your precious and beautiful name I pray, Jesus. Amen.