Epilogue: Yesterday's Manna
Recently I wrote about how yesterday's manna will not meet the needs of today. I'd like to remark that even though the provision for today needs to be received for the time it's appointed, it's important not to forget that provision was given. We can't bring yesterday's manna into today because it isn't meant for that however that doesn't mean that we forget that the manna was provided.
As we walk in faith, it is important to remember what the Lord has done for us. We should obediently follow His commands and then take time to reflect on the outcome of that obedience. Our response to His daily or timely provision should be that of thanksgiving and praise. When we become forgetful, it's easy to become complacent, disgruntled, and to adopt a sense of entitlement. The Israelites demonstrate this in Numbers 11:4-6, “Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, ‘Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.’” I'm not sure how long it took for them to get sick of manna, but clearly the fact that it was the answer to their request for food was forgotten.
Lest we get a sense of entitlement ourselves because we've studied the Israelites all of our Christian lives in our modern day, beware of neglecting to acknowledge the daily bread God gives you. Your job, car, clothes, church, etc. may be boring or irritating today for whatever reason, but think back to when those things weren't just "what you have" but an answer to prayer and a gift from God. What is intended to meet our daily needs should be received with daily thanksgiving. Don't take today's manna for granted and don't neglect to give thanks for yesterday's.
As we walk in faith, it is important to remember what the Lord has done for us. We should obediently follow His commands and then take time to reflect on the outcome of that obedience. Our response to His daily or timely provision should be that of thanksgiving and praise. When we become forgetful, it's easy to become complacent, disgruntled, and to adopt a sense of entitlement. The Israelites demonstrate this in Numbers 11:4-6, “Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, ‘Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.’” I'm not sure how long it took for them to get sick of manna, but clearly the fact that it was the answer to their request for food was forgotten.
Lest we get a sense of entitlement ourselves because we've studied the Israelites all of our Christian lives in our modern day, beware of neglecting to acknowledge the daily bread God gives you. Your job, car, clothes, church, etc. may be boring or irritating today for whatever reason, but think back to when those things weren't just "what you have" but an answer to prayer and a gift from God. What is intended to meet our daily needs should be received with daily thanksgiving. Don't take today's manna for granted and don't neglect to give thanks for yesterday's.
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