Remember the post I wrote a couple months ago about being thankful for the manna? Well, today in our devotions, Hannah and I found out what was the result of being thankful for the manna.
We learned to be “thankful for the manna” back in Numbers 11, when the Israelites were complaining about the way God was providing for them. Instead of remembering the horrible conditions they experienced in Egypt, they started to remember “the good old days.” They were slaves in Egypt but now could only think of the delicious, juicy fruit and abundance of food they had there (but probably didn’t receive as slaves!).
In Joshua 5, the Israelites are finally coming to the end of their 40 years of wandering in the desert as a result of their disobedience to God. Verse 12 says, “And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year” (KJV).
During their time of eating manna, the Israelites griped and complained about God’s provisions, even begging to be sent back as slaves to Egypt! They couldn’t see past their current circumstances to claim the promises that God had given to them; and so, they had to wait for 40 years when they could have enjoyed God’s blessings right away! But God had the BEST plan – eating fruit (and other delicious foods) as FREE men and women – not slaves to Pharaoh!
I think that this is the first time I have really taken notice of that passage. Probably because I was trying so hard to learn to be thankful for the manna, the Joshua 5 passage stood out to me more. Sure, there are going to be times when God’s provisions are hard to understand (like when Jamie had to work as a detention officer to make ends meet), but the amazing truth is that God knows what is past the manna! He knows the beginning, middle, and the end!
I have been reminded recently that we are often more than ready to accept whatever blessings God gives us, but we are quick to lash out when the trials come. Yet, we confess with our mouths that we are unworthy of His love! The truth is that we are really deserving of the TRIALS and undeserving of ANY blessings! What a gracious God we serve Who delights in meeting our needs and showering us with blessings.
I know there are many people going through trials right now, so I just want to encourage you to stop and thank God for the manna. Find something to be thankful for – even if it’s just that you are alive today! Remember that God already knows your ending. If you’re a Christian, it will be an eternity in heaven with Him!
If you don’t know for sure if you die today you will go to heaven, please feel free to contact me for more information! I would love to share with you the truth of God’s love!
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