When the Lord Leads You to Dry Ground | Exodus 17:1-7
“All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the LORD, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink.”
Exodus 17:1
Introduction: Obedience Still Leads to the Wilderness
Have you ever obeyed the Lord, done everything right, followed His leading—and found yourself in a barren, desperate place?
That’s exactly what happened in Exodus 17. The people of Israel obeyed the Lord’s command. They journeyed “by stages,” exactly as God directed. They weren’t in rebellion. They weren’t lagging behind. They were right where God told them to be.
And still—there was no water.
This is a crucial reminder for every believer: walking in obedience does not exempt us from hardship. Sometimes, obedience is the very road that leads us into the wilderness. The question is not whether God led you—but whether you’ll trust Him when the ground is dry.
God's People Journey by His Command
Notice how the verse begins:
God is orchestrating every movement of His people. Not just the major milestones, but the small stages. They didn’t move until He said move. And when He said move, they went.
There is a kind of beauty in that simplicity. They followed the cloud and the fire. That was it.
We often want the whole map. God gives us the next step.
And when you follow Him—when you truly walk in His will—you might expect an oasis. A breakthrough. A reward.
But at Rephidim, they got thirst.
Matthew Henry writes:
Just because the road is hard doesn’t mean it’s the wrong road.
Dry Ground Is Not a Sign of God’s Absence
The natural assumption when trials come is that something must be wrong—either with us or with God.
But Exodus 17 rebukes that instinct.
God led them there. His presence went before them. His hand was on them. Yet they still faced need.
This teaches us a powerful truth: suffering is not necessarily the result of disobedience. Sometimes, it is the result of obedience. God brings us to barren places on purpose—not to harm us, but to shape us.
Deuteronomy 8:2 explains the reason for wilderness seasons:
God already knows what’s in our heart—but He wants us to see it. The desert reveals our trust, or our lack of it.
God Has a Purpose in the Wilderness
Why would God lead His people to a place with no water?
Because they needed to learn that He alone is the source of life. Not Egypt. Not Moses. Not natural provision. But God.
They had seen Him split the sea and rain down bread. But now they needed water—and God would again show Himself faithful.
The wilderness is often the place of spiritual recalibration. It breaks our illusions of self-sufficiency. It shatters our idols. It silences the noise. And it opens our eyes to the God who provides in ways we never expected.
John Calvin said:
That’s what was happening here. God didn’t lead them into lack because He forgot them—but because He was preparing to show them His power in a deeper way.
God Often Withholds to Draw Out Our Faith
The thirst at Rephidim was not just physical—it was a spiritual test.
Would the people trust God, or turn on Him? Would they remember His past provision—or accuse Him of abandonment?
God often does this in our lives. He allows need to arise so that faith can grow.
Faith is not tested in abundance. Faith is tested when you’re thirsty—when the well runs dry, when the job doesn’t come, when the diagnosis is hard, when the prayer seems unanswered.
And it is there—in the silence and scarcity—that God asks: “Will you trust Me now?”
Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote,
Lessons for Our Lives Today
This verse teaches us five crucial principles that apply to our daily walk with Christ:
1) Obedience Doesn’t Guarantee Ease
2) Faith Is Refined in the Wilderness
3) God Leads Us for Our Good
4) Grumbling Is the Wrong Response
5) Christ Is the True Source of Living Water
Conclusion: What Will You Do at Rephidim?
Christian, you may find yourself at Rephidim today. The journey has been long. The thirst is real. The confusion is growing. And the question is looming: Will you trust Him here?
The same God who brought you out of Egypt will not abandon you in the desert. The same hand that split the sea will not fail you at the spring.
Don’t judge God’s goodness by your circumstances. Judge your circumstances by God’s unchanging character.
He is the God who provides. The God who leads. The God who is with us—even when the ground is dry.
Walk by faith.
Trust His Word.
And wait for the water to flow.
Have you ever obeyed the Lord, done everything right, followed His leading—and found yourself in a barren, desperate place?
That’s exactly what happened in Exodus 17. The people of Israel obeyed the Lord’s command. They journeyed “by stages,” exactly as God directed. They weren’t in rebellion. They weren’t lagging behind. They were right where God told them to be.
And still—there was no water.
This is a crucial reminder for every believer: walking in obedience does not exempt us from hardship. Sometimes, obedience is the very road that leads us into the wilderness. The question is not whether God led you—but whether you’ll trust Him when the ground is dry.
God's People Journey by His Command
Notice how the verse begins:
“...moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the LORD...”
God is orchestrating every movement of His people. Not just the major milestones, but the small stages. They didn’t move until He said move. And when He said move, they went.
There is a kind of beauty in that simplicity. They followed the cloud and the fire. That was it.
We often want the whole map. God gives us the next step.
And when you follow Him—when you truly walk in His will—you might expect an oasis. A breakthrough. A reward.
But at Rephidim, they got thirst.
Matthew Henry writes:
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; yet they may lead through wildernesses, not for ruin, but for trial.”
Just because the road is hard doesn’t mean it’s the wrong road.
Dry Ground Is Not a Sign of God’s Absence
The natural assumption when trials come is that something must be wrong—either with us or with God.
But Exodus 17 rebukes that instinct.
God led them there. His presence went before them. His hand was on them. Yet they still faced need.
This teaches us a powerful truth: suffering is not necessarily the result of disobedience. Sometimes, it is the result of obedience. God brings us to barren places on purpose—not to harm us, but to shape us.
Deuteronomy 8:2 explains the reason for wilderness seasons:
“...that He might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart.”
God already knows what’s in our heart—but He wants us to see it. The desert reveals our trust, or our lack of it.
God Has a Purpose in the Wilderness
Why would God lead His people to a place with no water?
Because they needed to learn that He alone is the source of life. Not Egypt. Not Moses. Not natural provision. But God.
They had seen Him split the sea and rain down bread. But now they needed water—and God would again show Himself faithful.
The wilderness is often the place of spiritual recalibration. It breaks our illusions of self-sufficiency. It shatters our idols. It silences the noise. And it opens our eyes to the God who provides in ways we never expected.
John Calvin said:
“The providence of God appears more evident when all other hopes fail.”
That’s what was happening here. God didn’t lead them into lack because He forgot them—but because He was preparing to show them His power in a deeper way.
God Often Withholds to Draw Out Our Faith
The thirst at Rephidim was not just physical—it was a spiritual test.
Would the people trust God, or turn on Him? Would they remember His past provision—or accuse Him of abandonment?
God often does this in our lives. He allows need to arise so that faith can grow.
Faith is not tested in abundance. Faith is tested when you’re thirsty—when the well runs dry, when the job doesn’t come, when the diagnosis is hard, when the prayer seems unanswered.
And it is there—in the silence and scarcity—that God asks: “Will you trust Me now?”
Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote,
“Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity. The hour of our greatest barrenness is often the moment of divine breakthrough.”
Lessons for Our Lives Today
This verse teaches us five crucial principles that apply to our daily walk with Christ:
1) Obedience Doesn’t Guarantee Ease
Don’t believe the lie that walking with Jesus will make life easier. It may actually get harder. But it will always be better, because His presence goes with you.
2) Faith Is Refined in the Wilderness
Your greatest growth will not happen on the mountaintop—it will happen when you’re hungry, thirsty, and unsure. That’s when roots go deep.
3) God Leads Us for Our Good
Even when the road leads to dry ground, He is still good. He has not abandoned you. He is doing something deeper than you can see.
4) Grumbling Is the Wrong Response
We’ll see in the verses that follow that the people grumbled. But faith chooses prayer over complaint, trust over tantrum.
5) Christ Is the True Source of Living Water
This entire story points us to Jesus. As we’ll see in the coming days, He is the Rock that was struck. He is the water that flows. He is the provision in our wilderness.
Conclusion: What Will You Do at Rephidim?
Christian, you may find yourself at Rephidim today. The journey has been long. The thirst is real. The confusion is growing. And the question is looming: Will you trust Him here?
The same God who brought you out of Egypt will not abandon you in the desert. The same hand that split the sea will not fail you at the spring.
Don’t judge God’s goodness by your circumstances. Judge your circumstances by God’s unchanging character.
He is the God who provides. The God who leads. The God who is with us—even when the ground is dry.
Walk by faith.
Trust His Word.
And wait for the water to flow.