The Psalmist says, ‘In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice, in the morning I lay my request before you and wait with expectation. (Psalm 5:3)Recently, I’ve again been reminded that God continues to provide Morning Manna.
For those of you that are unfamiliar with the expression, in the 16th Chapter of the Book of Exodus, the entire Israelite community is complaining. While God had miraculously rescued them from Egypt and Pharaoh’s army, their bellies are rumbling and the rumbling causes them to grumble, “you have bought us out into this desert to starve”.
They sound like a modern day financial reporter talking about the US economy!
In this week’s “World Magazine” there is a cartoon of a plane scene. The intercom announces, “The pilot has indicated we are going to experience a little turbulence, please fasten your seat belts”. Hearing the news, a financial reporter exclaims, “We are all going to die!”
While true life-and-death issues are rarely the focus of our daily prayer for many of us, I’m sure we can learn from the lesson of the Israelites in the desert.
First, the manna was provided every morning.
We all need to be reminded of the cycle of God’s daily provision. When Jesus was asked to teach his disciples to pray, He gave them what we know as the “Lord’s prayer”. This simple, heartfelt, and model prayer asks, “Give us this day our daily bread”. In many ways, a child-like request for our basic needs.
Second, the manna was available to all who would but bend down and gather what the Lord provided.
It was generously and freely given regardless of whether the individual was worthy. The Bible says that those that tried to gather too much found that the manna spoiled. However, those that paid attention to the instruction, ‘he who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little. Each one gathered as much as he needed.”
Third, when a double portion is needed, a double portion is provided.
Since the Sabbath was not a time to gather, the previous day’s portion was doubled for the Israelites, and none of this double portion spoiled.
I’ve been reminded time and time again that when God knows we need a double portion of His blessings, he will provide. Again, it’s not about whether we are worthy, only if we are willing to bend the knee and gather.
