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As a little kid, I hid my money in a jar under my bed. I wasn’t saving for anything in particular; I was storing up for a rainy day… whatever that meant in my seven-year-old brain!
No, I didn’t have much money. I just saved every penny that I got.
Squirreled it away. Hoarded it.
Just in case.
I readily admit, if I had been one of the Israelites in the wilderness, I would have been tempted to gather more manna than I needed each day… just in case.
True confession?
I too often worry in advance about the sufficiency of God’s provision. I can be anxious about the timing of His provision, and at times, I have even doubted God’s goodness in His provision, which, from my limited perspective, was lacking or too slow in coming.
I wonder if you can relate?
As I lean in closer to Exodus 16:4, I see that the Israelites were instructed to “gather a day’s portion every day.” The bible says that the Lord was testing their obedience, if they would walk in His law or not.
And He was testing their dependence upon Him, if they would trust in His promised, daily provision.
All grown up now and having lived through a fair share of rainy days, the inclination of my heart is still to hoard. I might block out extra time, save back spendable energy, or store up information or resources.
Of course, these can all be good and wise practices. After last year I would imagine almost every household in America has a spare pack of toilet paper stashed somewhere! “Just in case”.
But I ask my heart two honest questions today:
Am I keeping for myself extra portions, *beyond* what I need…just in case?
Am I trusting in reliance upon God to meet my needs and then rest satisfied with what He gives?
I love what C.S. Lewis said related to this.
“Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done.”
Every day we must wake expectant that manna will fall.
The promise that comes in Exodus 16:7 takes my breath away.
After the Israelites were given instructions about bread raining from heaven every day and that their job was to go out and gather (just) a days portion, they are told:
“and in the morning, you shall see the glory of the Lord.”
Daily manna, bread to the full, just enough for that day.
The Israelites saw the Lord’s glory in His daily provision for them. And, we see His glory in His daily provision for us, His children.
It’s His glory to provide for us!
Join me in seeking to be a fully trusting, satisfied recipient of the grace upon grace that’s ours in Jesus.
And to receive just what we need, when we need it, from the One who delights in showing His glory by providing for His beloved.