Bread of the day.
Do you speak grumble or gratitude? I can be bilingual at times.
When I read the old testament story of the Israelites complaining along the wilderness route, I’m confused and convicted at the same time. I’ve murmured along the way, too. Journeying to their promised home was supposed to take 11 days, but wound up taking 40 years.
Why? . . . because of their attitude.
Not long after an exodus moment, they began griping that God brought them out of the land of bondage only to let them starve in the desert.
The One who opens the sea answers, “I’ll rain bread from heaven for you” . . . but, His bread of the day came with instructions. Each household was to gather according to its need every day. They were to collect twice as much on the sixth day so there would be no need to gather on the Sabbath.
Incredibly, it didn’t become Sabbath stale.
Jehovah provided for the needs of His people when they were unable to provide for themselves.
Whining while dining on frosted flakes of manna in the morning wasn’t enough. They wanted protein, so God sent quail at twilight. Talking with a mouth full of food and complaints, they ask for more.
The Father’s desire was for His people to seek Him daily. Instead they gathered greed and became manna hoarders. The bread bred worms and became foul.
The story found in Exodus 16:14-31 isn’t too different from what we’re guilty of today.
It says the reason God attached instructions along with His provision was to test us. We ask why God tests us. We should ask why we test Him.
Do you think we American-ites are guilty of the same as these dear ungratefuls of old?
We’re blessed (and spared) so we give thanks. We’re stressed (and suffer loss) then forget we were ever blessed. Dim remembrance.
He asks that we trust Him for today. His mercies are fresh with the dawn. When He said not to worry about tomorrow, He wasn’t joking. We’re instructed to gather what we need. . . His Word and abundance for this day.
The past week has been filled with lessons in trusting the God of provision. I’ve talked to many who were either blessed (because of grace and protection) or stressed from the sweep of Sandy’s hemline wiping out trees, taking out power, and leaving behind a deadly trail of loss.
Have you been blessed or stressed, grateful or grumbling? I pray your story is one of hope and provision. I’d love to hear it.
He opened the doors of heaven and rained down manna upon them to eat, and gave them food from heaven. Man did eat the bread of angels. Psalm 78: 23, 24
Verna
Ah, how very easily we forget. We, like the ancient Israelites, have the shortest of memories, and often find ourselves “SOS – Stuck on Stupid.” Thanks much for your sweeet and gentle reminder!
This is why I journal, Lori!
Stuck on Stupid! Yep. That says it all too well.
Blessed and grateful!
I know . . . even in the West Virginia snow. . . .
Verna, With so many suffering from Sandy, I humbly, but with much gratitude share our story. We are told to tell of His wonderful deeds. On our block, only our house, and the neighbor directly across the street from us had power. The rest of the block was totally without. It reminded me of when the Lord put darkness over all of Egypt, and only the camp of the Israelites had light. It gave us an opportunity for ministry, as we opened our home for showers, and shared power via extension cords, with our next door neighbor. We have tremendously tall trees in our yard, and not one fell-nor even a roof shingle. Yet many trees and shingles were down in our neighborhood. He also provided us with a generator for my mother, when they were next to impossible to find. We got there just in time, as she was burning taper candles in many rooms, which was quite dangerous. His timing is always perfect; He is filled with mercy and goodness. We do not understand it all, but we trust and know that He uses all things for good. Praise HIs holy name. Thank you for putting this out there, and asking for our testimonies. May our great God receive all the glory He is deserving of! We serve an awesome God!
Thank you for sharing this beautiful testimony of reaching out in the love of Jesus, Laura. God was merciful to us when so many around us were in darkness. You’re right . . . there is much we don’t understand but we can depend on the power of God to be everlasting.
Wow! Always moved by your writting. No electric, but PLENTY of blessings. It was GREAT to have our family in one room playing flashlight games or pictionary, and to have an entire week away from facebook/computers/I-PODS/work/Scouts/school, it was exactly what OUR FAMILY needed. We loved, laughed, our kids acted like kids, we grilled, and invited the neighbors over for a summer/fall cookout. I enjoyed our electric out!
You just bless me too much . . . thanks so much for sharing this great account of your family time (and your great attitude!).
Love it! A sweet addition to these comments.