God provides manna for the Israelites after they up and leave Egypt. The name “manna”, comes from the Hebrews asking….man hu?… What is it? 

It struck me while I was praying and thinking about this: how often do I misunderstand what the Lord is doing? He gives me something and my response is … what is this? What am I supposed to do with this? How is this going to help?  

The manna was food for their sustenance… they just didn’t recognize it as such when it first appeared.  

The other thing that struck me about the manna story is the fact the manna would not last for a second day. This kind of hits home because over the last few years, I have had the knowledge that it’s an uncomfortable feeling at my age, close to retirement, to have that gung-ho, I’m-not-going-to-worry-about-anything-other-than-trusting-You,-Lord feeling that so many of our worship songs are always mentioning. I am honestly worried about giving my security to the Lord. But just like with the manna, we can’t rely on yesterday’s provision. There are no guarantees in this life and nest eggs can go bad. We need the Lord’s provision continually. 

I’m embarrassed for myself about this too because this kind of provision in time of need has been repeatedly met during my lifetime. I’ve never known the Lord to be unfaithful and leave me hanging… too long… 

One other nugget from the manna example: I should also note that God didn’t take it away from them either until they entered the promised land.  

I have never had any inkling, either through scripture or my lived experience that God is a capricious giver. So for now, I think I’m ready to just trust Him. IF He decides to take something away, I’ve also learned through experience that I will be prepared in advance and it won’t be nearly as devastating as I thought it would be. So why did I get it in my head that I needed to be afraid of this hypothetical loss of security? No idea. It’s just stupid. But even if it does happen, the Lord will still make a way for me to get through by trusting Him.  

That said, I also need to be prepared…. Luke 9:57-62.