The Israelites journeyed through the wilderness from Egypt to the Promised Land, and they grumbled. They complained about not having enough to eat, and God heard their cries. He rained down bread from Heaven, enough for each day at a time. When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. They called it manna, which means “What is it?” (Exodus 16)
The manna that came every day reminds me of Lamentations 3:22-23: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
The mystery of “What is it?” can be applied to our daily bread–The Bread of God, the Word of God and the blessings of God that come new every day. We receive blessings, not with a clear expectation of what they will be but with a holy anticipation, as a child might receive a gift, surprised by His amazing love, His unstoppable grace and wonder.
THINK ABOUT IT
I was a Christian a long time before I grasped the newness of God’s love every day. It came in a conversation with God–reading His word (God talking) and prayer (my response). I found a Bible reading plan in the Lutheran Book of Worship, which has an Old Testament lesson, a New Testament Lesson and a Gospel lesson. I got up fifteen minutes earlier to read the Scriptures and pray before I went to work. It’s a discipline I’ve had more than thirty years. You can find Bible reading plans with a Google search. Here is one for you to check out: https://www.borntowin.net/files/pdf/Other/CEM-Bible-in-a-Year-Reading-Plan.pdf
PRAY ABOUT IT
Most Holy God, I pray you draw your people to your word, the Bread of Life, with a new awe, a sense of “What is it?” every day. Send your Spirit on them to give them a hunger and thirst for more of you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tell Me the Story 