Just enough.

I really dislike those words.  I prefer a buffer, a safe zone.  I’d rather have plenty stored up for a rainy day.

I haven’t been able to get manna out of my thoughts lately.  I read in Exodus how God provided manna each morning for the children of Israel.  He miraculously gave them food to eat.

God gave just enough.

They were to collect just enough for one day. If they kept more it would spoil.  On the sixth day, they were to collect enough for two days.  That day it would NOT spoil.  If they went out to collect on the Sabbath day, they wouldn’t find a flake.

Why did God do that?  Why didn’t God send a month’s supply so the Israelites could stock up and forget about it?   Why didn’t He send it seven days a week, rather than doing the six days on, one day off pattern?  How does any of this apply to missions, to Moldova, and to you and me?

God wanted to teach them that He supplied their daily needs.  They could depend upon Him to supply enough.  It also reveals our tendency to forget our dependency on Him.   We have a great predisposition to take blessings for granted.  We might say “thanks” the first week of a miraculous provision, but then we start assuming the manna will always be there. Worse yet, we start rationalizing that perhaps it wasn’t God providing after all.

In missions, we are constantly reminded of our need and our dependence.  We don’t have enough resources amassed for the month or year ahead.  We are dependent each month on people who invest in the ministry, but I don’t want to begin to assume it will be there.  It is God that is our provider, not moving stories, photos, or sermons.  It is Him.

This Sunday I will stand to preach.  Do I assume the Holy Spirit will cover for me?
This month I need $4000 to cover the Freedom Home expenses.  Do I assume someone will supply?
This year we will install village wells, repair roofs on churches, and purchase a transition apartment for the girls ready to leave Freedom Home.  Do I assume a good newsletter will bring in the funds?

God is so faithful.  He took care of the children of Israel and He takes care of us.  We had the manna yesterday, and I need to trust Him that there will be just enough for tomorrow.  Just enough.

Lord, help me to remember that You are my provider.  You have involved us in the task, but we are not the ones who create the manna.  Help me not take You for granted. Help me not to rely on human means for Your task.  Give us this day our daily bread.  Amen.

Thankful for His manna,

Andrew Raatz