African American Baptists reminded to trust God with struggles

WACO—The same God who turned bitter water into sweet water during the Exodus can still transform and give strength, participants were reminded at the African American rally in Waco.

The Nov. 17 rally at Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church in Waco was scheduled in conjunction with the Texas Baptists’ Annual Meeting.

C.J. Oliver, pastor of Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Waco, led rally attendees to reflect on Psalm 133, a Scripture passage about the beauty of unity among believers.

“God, thank you for what you are doing in the midst of your people. As we have come from the north, south, east and west, we have come to lift your name on high,” Oliver prayed. “We thank you for this great convention, for our president and for these great leaders you have pulled together for us.”

From bitter to sweet

Jerry William Dailey, senior pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in San Antonio, preached from Exodus 15:22-27.

Dailey recounted the story of the Israelites who were unable to drink from the bitter pools of water they encountered as they wandered through the desert.

People will encounter bitterness in life, but those experiences can teach God’s people about life, themselves and the Lord, he asserted.

God turned the Israelites’ bitter water into sweet water, and he is able to do the same today, Dailey insisted.

“Facts tell you to give up and throw in the towel, but faith says he who waits on the Lord shall renew their strength,” he said.

Furthermore, wherever God leads people, he will stay with them, Dailey said. God will not abandon people where he has led them, and he will take on their burdens.

God did not abandon the Israelites, but stayed with them and delivered them from their hardships, Dailey asserted. He encouraged rally attendees to remember that God knows everything that will happen to them.

“There’s nothing in your life that takes God by surprise,” he said. “It may take you by surprise, but there’s nothing that takes God by surprise. He’s already in your tomorrow, and he knows what you’ll face when you get there.”