Manna
A while back I got some mail from an organization called Feed My Starving Children whose mission is to end world hunger. They aim to do so primarily through “MannaPacks”, named after the bread from heaven first introduced in Exodus 16.
“MannaPack Rice consists of dehydrated vegetables, vitamins and minerals, rice, and soy. A single meal costs FMSC under 25 cents to produce and helps improve the health and growth of malnourished children.Each MannaPack Rice meal provides a huge range of nutrients thanks to its unique blend...”
Man, do we spin our wheels sometimes in this life making absolutely sure we’ve got enough.
Enough money in the bank to make ends meet, or to retire comfortably, or to retire ever, or, you know, just in case.
Enough balance in our diet. Enough outside time. Enough information. We want to make sure we’ve seen enough of the world or lived a full enough life. Done enough good.
We are running around filling our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual storehouses and there are people in this world who would literally die if someone did not reach out and feed them a vitamin enriched bowl of rice.
It sure helps put things in perspective, doesn’t it?
I’m sure my 21st century American mind might actually explode if I were really in this situation, but doesn’t some of that Exodus 16 manna and quail life sound simpler in some ways?
God will provide. Do not even try to provide for yourself. There will be no storehouses to fill. Do not even think you can do this without Him. It will not go well for you.
God and God alone will sustain you.
Now, I’m certainly not saying that escaping slavery to a life wandering in the desert for 40 years is at all easy. God was teaching His people some serious lessons about depending on and trusting Him, and nowhere does He ever promise easy.
The Israelites complained and worried about where their next meal was coming from and had to be given specific and repeated instruction from Moses and Aaron. We may not be lamenting the loss of consistent meals during our time in slavery, but we worry and complain about plenty of other things. Well, we’re not left to ball up into anxiety and despair without specific and repeated instruction from God.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!”
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Trust and depend on your Heavenly Father.
Don’t make God face you with desert wandering to learn dependence on Him. If you notice some metaphorical maggots in your manna, He might just be trying to get your attention.
Our God and Father rained bread from heaven for 40 years, and He wants you to trust He can provide for you too.
He wants you to know and trust that He really and truly loves you. He has promised to sustain you. He promised to sustain us despite our failure to follow His commands. He loves us dearly and wants the best for us. He knows that the best for us is dwelling in his presence and eternal life in heaven.
Rethink your storehouses and rely on your risen Savior.
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Rest easier knowing and trusting the Almighty is looking out for you.
