A friend said to me last week, “You can’t depend on yesterday’s manna to sustain you.”
It was basically the slap in the face I needed. Don’t worry though, she didn’t really slap me. She said it over the phone, so no physical altercation occurred.
But she was dead on.
In Exodus chapter 16, the Israelites had just crossed the Red Sea, had witnessed bitter water made sweet in order for them to drink it, and had entered Elim, where, according to Exodus 15:27, “there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees.”
Really, Israel? 70 palm trees?
Anyways. Begin chapter 16.
Israel sets out from Elim and enters the wilderness. While in the wilderness the “whole congregation of the people of Israel” [so….a LOT of people…] “grumbled against Moses and Aaron.” The people were a little ticked because they had nothing to eat. Well, just as He had in Egypt, at the Red Sea, in Elim…the Lord heard their cries and provided for them. He rained down manna from heaven in the morning, and brought up quail in the camp at evening for the people of Israel to eat and be filled.
The only thing He told them was to gather only a day’s portion. And being the obedient, observant people they were, Israel did the exact opposite, and their manna became rotten. The Bible actually says, “it bred worms and stank.”
Don’t get me started. Don’t EVEN get me started.
But, you know what, I’m like Israel a lot.
I try to depend on what God did yesterday. I use last week’s Bible study as time with the Lord for today. I use my rollover Jesus time for days on end.
I try to depend on yesterday’s manna to sustain me.
Lamentations 3:22-23 says this,
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
If the Creator of all provides new mercy for me daily, why do I not step in to that joy and freedom daily? Why do I rely only on what God revealed to me 2 weeks ago?
Especially when it comes to struggling in seasons of life, such as singleness, I must go to the Lord daily and receive mercy, grace, forgiveness, joy, comfort, and peace for the day to come.
I need to gather my manna daily, then go back tomorrow for more.
*to enjoy the comedic stylings of Jeannie Darcy, click here!
Kayla Smith 