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.

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.

Rest easier knowing and trusting the Almighty is looking out for you.