Don’t Forget the Manna
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Deuteronomy 8:11-18
11. "Take heed lest you forget the Lord your God, by not keeping his commandments and his ordinances and his statutes, which I command you this day: 12. lest, when you have eaten and are full, and have built goodly houses and live in them, 13. and when your herds and flocks multiply, and your silver and gold is multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied, 14. then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, 15. who led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water, who brought you water out of the flinty rock, 16. who fed you in the wilderness with manna which your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. 17. Beware lest you say in your heart, `My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.' 18. You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth; that he may confirm his covenant which he swore to your fathers, as at this day.
I read an article recently that discussed how we could not go to the store to buy manna. Nor were there any “Manna stores.” That article has stuck with me and really caused me to think about manna -- God’s provision for His people. In earlier verses God reminds the people that not only did they have manna each morning, but they survived on it for forty years! And more than that! Their clothes didn’t wear out in that time either! (After all, there were no Wal-marts or Old Navy stores in the desert!) The reward for “enduring” only manna? A land rich and bountiful full of all the foods the people loved! Fertile fields and orchards and bountiful vineyards. Great wealth and prosperity.
There are just two caveats: don’t forget the manna; and don’t think you did this all yourself. Who provided the manna, anyway? God gave the Israelites exactly what they needed. If they had supplies of food, they would have been burdened with transporting it, and preserving it -- all of which would have been extra work and an extra load to carry with them in their travels. They didn’t even need to stop to make new clothes! God thought of everything! Even water from a rock! One would think that after an entire generation of living in God’s care and provision that the people would have been ever humbled and grateful. Not quite!
They were just as we are today. We forget the source of every good thing in our lives. We begin to believe our own press, don’t we? "I got a promotion at work -- and more money. That’s because I’m such a good employee and so gifted and valuable to the company." Or, "I have this beautiful house and expensive car, and I belong to all the “right” organizations. I’m wealthy and influential -- that means I’m
somebody!" Not quite! Do we really think we “arrived” of our own volition? Do we truly believe we are capable enough, strong enough, wise enough to live our lives without God? Do we forget so easily that He is the source of the intellect, wisdom, ability? Do we forget about the manna?
What if everything you own is gone tomorrow? Stock market nosedives, car is repossessed, house burns down. Who are you then? You are God’s beloved. He provided for the Israelites and he will provide for you. Even when you don’t think there is anything left--God will be there. So let’s remember the manna and the water, and the promised reward. Not on earth, but in heaven. Where the weather is perfect and the food is delicious and our clothes never wear out and we spend eternity in God’s presence in heaven.
I hope today you will remember that God provides for his children exactly what they need. And that you remember the source of every good thing in your life.
Mary
