“Then Moses said to them, ‘No one is to keep any of it until morning.'” — Exodus 16:19 (NIV84)

The command was to take the amount of manna you needed for the day. There was always plenty to be taken, but the command was to only take what was needed  for the family for one day. The words of the fourth petition of the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread,” are certainly appropriate for our verse and devotion today. God is glorified when His people daily depend upon Him for their provision. Why? Because He is dependable! Not a single day over 40 years did God fail to send manna in the morning and quail in the evening. The Israelites, and we, by taking today only what we need for the day, show our faith and trust in our heavenly Father.

Oh, but what a test for sinful human beings who want things their way. The Israelites went out the first day, and many took more than they needed. Their goal was to horde and save some for another day. I am certain they were buying a little insurance. They said to themselves, “just in case it’s not there tomorrow.” But the manna they had leftover for the next day became maggot-filled and spoiled. God was going to make sure that this all happened His way. As I type this, I wonder whether there are parts of my life where I am fighting against God because of my wanting things my way. I (we) need to trust that God knows better than we do. We need to be certain that if He said it, it will occur. His Word and His promises are certain and true.

So, today, and every day, may we be content to get from the hand of God only what is needed for the moment. Let’s trust that if He takes care of this moment, He will take care of the next one.

Peace!

Pastor Tom

www.firmlyrooted.church