PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Exodus 16-18
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed.” (Exodus 16:18)
Jesus taught us to pray “Give us today our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11)
He urges us not to worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:34), but to trust Him for today.
The Israelites learned through 40 years in the desert that God would provide enough.
Water, meat, bread, protection from their enemies… they could trust Him.
And yet we hear them grumbling… and we are usually the same.
Paul learned over time that he could trust God to care for him, no matter what.
“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” (Philippians 4:11-13)
This is something we can all learn, and experience.
Instead of thinking about what you don’t have, look at what you do have.
Maybe its not an ‘all-you-can-eat’ buffet, but His ‘just enough’ manna is something.
Makes me think of Jesus how Jesus thanked God for 5 loaves and 2 fish (Matthew 14:19).
He didn’t complain about what He didn’t have; He gave thanks for what He did have.
And God made it enough for everyone!
Will I choose to trust God for what I need, and thank Him for what He provides?
PRAYER
Lord, my focus is often on what is lacking, instead of what You have provided. Help me instead to be thankful, and to trust You for my daily needs.
Food, water, protection (Amalekites and others who might consider), and justice – in the desert – God provided but they needed to trust Him. Through Jethro his Father-in-law – Moses too receives timely advice – again, it shows God’s provision to Moses. The daily manna for 6 days, the extra on the 6th, the quail, the water from Rock and the defeat of the Amalekites through the raising of hands to the Lord – all God’s provisions. Too often I put to much on myself – that it is dependent on me – I too need to turn each day to the Lord and ask Him to ‘give me this day my daily bread’. And He will provide what I need – forgive me for my selfish wants but to be content with what God provides.
Lord Jesus, I thank you for the ways in which you provide for me daily. Help me to be content with what you give.
Lord forgive me for wanting more
Help me to trust you with what I need and not what I want. Help me to be thankful for everything I receive from you and seek godliness with contentment which is of great gain. For if I have food and clothing and shelter I should be content with that. And when you give more that I will not forget to whom much is given much is required.
Thank you Lord that you are faithful and I can trust you with my daily bread. Through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior