October 8 | Exodus 16:1-18

by Elaine Pierce

"Everyone gathered just as much as they needed." (Exodus 16:18). Wouldn't it be wonderful if we lived our lives this way? Gathering 'just what we need' every day, no more, no less. The Israelites were obedient, and God provided just what they needed.

And that obedience lasted - get ready for it - less than a day. Some of the people hoarded the heaven-produced manna, and it turned to maggots in the morning. How quickly, how quickly we decide to take matters into our own hands. We don't trust God. We grumble and complain, just as the Israelites did. We rewrite history: "If only we had died by the Lord's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted.... (Exodus 16:3)." We conveniently 'forget' the enslaved part. The beatings. The forced labor.

Where in your life do you need to trust God? Are you struggling financially? Spiritually? With a broken relationship? With depression, or grief, or sadness that just won't seem to end? Looking for a new job? Whatever it is, God already knows about it, and he longs to meet you in that struggle. Perhaps just for today, ask him to give you what you need. And watch for ways that God is at work. Don't miss his still, small voice when you're looking for the Big Reveal.

And don't just take my word for it. Moses and Aaron gathered the people together, and they gave them instructions about how they would receive the food they needed every day. Read these words and take them to heart:

The Lord said to Moses, "I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, 'At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.'" (Ex. 16:11-12)

He hears you. He will supply your every need. Ask him today, and thanks be to God that he will hear, he will care, and he will provide.

Lord, so often I want what I want right now, and I fail to trust in your timing. Help me to come to you with every need, and to trust your goodness, your faithfulness, and your righteousness. Amen.