manna from heaven

"GOD WILL PROVIDE"

I've grown up hearing my Dad utter those words a gazillion times. I was so familiar with it, that I've never really taken it to heart. Yes...God owns everything and I believe that to be true...but for Him to delegate His wealth to someone like me has never really crossed my mind. The money I earn every month is always seen as compensation for my services rendered to the company...nothing more! Therefore, I see it as a right...because even the Bible says that a man should be paid according to his workload.But that kind of perspective got me into a loop of greediness...and when my pay is delayed a day...a violent reaction is acceptable! As I went deeper into this terrible pattern...perspectives were changing and priorities were shifting...everything was going out of control!

Just this morning I was confronted with the reality that what I earn in my current job is just enough to sustain a bachelor. I was making ends meet with a little extra to spare. But once I threw in my future married life into the equation...I always end up lacking...in the red, so to speak! I've tried cutting down on food and other essential things that I can survive less or without...but no luck there! It was inevitable that I was lacking some resources. It irritated me, and started complaining and questioning God in the confines of my heart! "Lord...do you really want me to get married? is this really your plan?" Reality can really be frustrating. Then...I remembered MANNA!

God has set apart a bunch of people from the growing populous of the earth and called them His people! They were a bunch of whiners and complainers...but always shown grace by God. When they were being mistreated by Pharaoh and prayed for deliverance...God pushed through! But once they were on their way to the promise land and their comfort and convenience were taken away, THEY COMPLAINED! Instead of remembering God's grace in their lives...they mocked God with their ungrateful hearts. Just like us...but what I want to point out is this...Their position as the people of God still stood even through the times of their unfaithfulness. God still took care of them...and provided logistical grace. What I liked about the story of the Exodus is how God provided food. Manna rained from heaven...they did not have to do hard work for food...all they have to do is pick it up.

Today...actual manna won't fall from the sky...but in our lives, a different kind of provision overflows. It might be our health, wealth, relationships, happiness, love, etc. Whatever it is...let's not neglect it. God may not allow great wealth but He did promise in His word the He will never leave us nor forsake us. If God can feed the sparrow and clothe the lilies...why worry about rent money, food budget, bill payments and whatever life throws at us! Thank God for your own kind of MANNA!