32Moses said, ‘This is what the Lord has commanded: “Let an omer of it be kept throughout your generations, in order that they may see the food with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.” ’ 33And Moses said to Aaron, ‘Take a jar, and put an omer of manna in it, and place it before the Lord, to be kept throughout your generations.’ 34As the Lord commanded Moses, so Aaron placed it before the covenant,* for safe-keeping. 35The Israelites ate manna for forty years, until they came to a habitable land; they ate manna, until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.
(Exod. 16. 32-35 NRSV)
For 40 years, God provided for Israel while they wandered in the desert. Due to unbelief and disobedience, Israel did not immediately enter into God’s desired blessing of the Promised Land, “a land where you may eat bread without scarcity” (cf. Deut. 8. 6-10). Yet, God still provided for his people in the midst of their wanderings. Isn’t this an amazing display of God’s gracious intervention in our lives in spite of our less-than-ideal circumstances and/or response? As a gracious Dad, who longs for his children to have the very best, he provides for us even when we don’t quite understand his provision (remember that “manna” literally means “what is this?”). However, as we’re making decisions each day at home, on the job, at school, in the hospital, at the church, in the jail, etc., we’re not left alone in the process of things. God, by his Spirit, calls, beckons, woos, encourages, convicts us toward unreserved surrender in our relationship with Him. But must we have everything figured out (even the Bible) before we say “Yes” to God’s purpose for our lives?
I don’t think so…
If you feel like you’re wandering somewhat aimlessly in a desert land, know for a surety that God loves and cares for you in the midst of your reservations, doubts and fears. That you don’t have to have everything figured out in order to trust Jesus (who is God revealed to us). What our enemy (satan) doesn’t want us to do is to slow down and take inventory of God’s goodness in our lives (even while we’re wandering in limbo regarding faith in Jesus). The one who provides the bread in the wilderness (a sustaining nourishment to make it through the day) is he who calls you to trust him with your heart and life.
Peace,
Shannon
