MANNA...Where's the Beef?

Place: A campsite in the Sinai wilderness

“Wife, what’s for breakfast?”

“Husband, you know – we’re having…”

“Oh yeah…manna…again…”

Do you ever find yourself acting like one of those grumbling, complaining Israelites?

Forgetting all the blessings God has given?

Dissatisfied with His provision?

What is it about human nature that makes us long for something “else” – what makes us feel like we’re “missing out?”

The Israelites had food provided for them every day – by the very hand of God. And yet, that wasn’t good enough!

“Oh, for some meat!” they exclaimed. “We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt…But now our appetites are gone. All we ever see is this manna!” (Numbers 11:4-6)

Hey, you guys – did you forget about God rescuing you from slavery???

It’s easy to point fingers at the Israelites – but truthfully, are we any different?

We do not live in a moral world – we live in a “more-all” world.

I want what I want, and I want it my way, and I want it now…and when I get it, then I want some more.

Pick up a magazine, read a newspaper, watch TV – it’s everywhere. The pervasive idea that the secret to contentment is more – more money, more fame, more power…more stuff.

We Christians can be fooled into this mindset, too.

Only sometimes our desires are disguised as “good” and “righteous” things. We want a bigger ministry or a certain spiritual gift or someone else’s talent. Or we want attention for our holy behavior or our wise words – but we want it from people, instead of God.

Or we get bitter when we see other people’s lives and wish our lives were more like theirs – easier, more successful, more “faithful” maybe…

Or sometimes it just seems so hard to follow Jesus. We don’t quite fit in, or we get left out, or ostracized or criticized – or downright persecuted! Sometimes it seems like it was “easier” somehow when we weren’t living “quite so closely” to the Lord.

We look back at Egypt, and long for meat.

Or sometimes we get so used to living life that we begin to take for granted the things that God provides for us each day. We get spoiled, and fail to see how fortunate we are.

Manna…we want meat. (Whine, whine, whine…)

So, today I offer up my “manna list” – things that I am grateful for:

1. I woke up this morning – that means God has work for me to do.

2. I am saved – that means that I am at peace with God.

3. I have eternal life – that means I can live life abundantly NOW, and I will

also live FOREVER with God.

4. I have hope – that means that I can live ABOVE circumstances.

5. I am a child of God – that means that He bestows all the treasures of the

Kingdom on me.

6. I have a good God – that means that I can TRUST Him, in everything.

7. I have His Word – that means that I have a resource for godly living –

and I am free to read it whenever and wherever I want.

8. I can pray – that means I have direct access to the throne of God, anytime.

9. I have a God who listens – that means that those prayers go directly to

His ears, and to His heart.

10. I have a God who never changes, who will never leave me nor

forsake me, who LOVES me with a faithfulness I will never be able to

fully comprehend.

Oh Lord, thank you for Your gift of “manna.” Let me never take for granted the blessing of Your daily bread.

What’s on your “manna list?”

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"