Manna for Your Morning

Soon the people began to complain about their hardship, and the LORD heard everything they said. Then the LORD’s anger blazed against them… — Numbers 11:1 (NLT) The Israelites said, “ We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes! ” (Numbers 11:5-6 NKJV). They despised the provision of the LORD and glorified what they ate while they were slaves. Sometimes we can get so focused on the small insignificant things, that we miss the big thing God is doing. The big thing is that they were free. May we always remember the good the LORD is doing, and has done in our lives. Instead of complaining about what we don’t have, let us lift our hands to praise God for all that He has provided. May we use the breath of life that He has put in our lungs to thank God that in spite of the hardships we face, He still reigns!

And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided.” — Genesis 22:14 (NKJV) As the Israelites journeyed in the desert for forty years, God provided all they needed. He gave them water from a rock and fed them daily with manna, bread from heaven (Exodus 16:4, 17:6). When they complained about having no meat, He sent quail (Numbers 11:31). In those forty years, their clothes did not wear out nor did their sandals. (Deuteronomy 29:5). The LORD is faithful and He always provides for His people. Take your eyes off of your limited resources, and look to your heavenly Father who loves you. He has an infinite supply, more than enough. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33 NKJV). No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. (Psalm 84:11)

Now the LORD provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three  days and three nights. — Jonah 1:17 (NIV) Even though Jonah initially ran away from the LORD and ended up being thrown into the sea, God was watching over him and provided what Jonah needed to survive. In the belly of the huge fish, Jonah remembered the LORD (Jonah 2:7) and God commanded the fish, to vomit Jonah onto dry land. Take comfort in knowing that our heavenly Father knows exactly what we need and when we need it. As Amos 5:6 (NLT) says: Come back to the LORD and live!

O LORD, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I am in trouble? — Psalm 10:1 (NLT) When we are in the midst of troubles, the enemy would have us believe that the LORD is no where around, but do not believe his lies. When we are overcome with life's difficulties, it is the LORD, who carries us through them. During the Israelites 40 years in the desert, they often felt abandoned, but the LORD provided everything they needed and brought them safely to the promised land. When you are overwhelmed with all that life brings your way, rest in the arms of the LORD and He shall renew your strength and carry you through.

“O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name! But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!” — 1 Chronicles 29:13-14 (NLT)  Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father (James 1:17). Let us give Him thanks, and praise His glorious name! All that we have, His generous hand has provided. May we be wise stewards of all that God has so graciously entrusted to us: our finances, our children, our spouses, material possessions, etc.

When the Israelites saw it, they said one to another, Manna [What is it?]. For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, This is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat. — Exodus 16:15 (AMP) Manna was bread from heaven which the LORD provided for the children of Israel to eat, for forty years. However, when it first came, they didn't recognize it. Sometimes God’s provision for us doesn’t come the way we thought it would or it doesn’t look the way we thought it should. At those times we must fully trust the LORD, and know that He has a master plan for our lives and it's a plan for good and not for harm. Let’s stand in faith, and be thankful for all of God’s provision.

Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to the disciples, who distributed the food to the crowd. — Matthew 15:36 (NLT) After Jesus gave thanks for the seven loaves of bread and a few fish, four thousand men, besides women and children all ate and were satisfied. Then, the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. (Matthew 15:37-38). May we always give thanks to God for all that He has provided. If we remain faithful with the little, in the face of apparent lack, we will be satisfied. We serve a God of more than enough. Amen!

The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.  — Psalm 145:15-16 (NKJV) God is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider. He not only provides food for our physical bodies, He also gives us His Word to feed us spiritually. You can be sure that God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). He opens His hand, and we are satisfied. Keep your eyes on the LORD and patiently wait, with expectation. He does not disappoint. “In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided.” (Genesis 22:14).