Thursday, August 26, 2010

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 moremore 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!"

8 comments:

  1. Thanks Sharon. I really needed this gentle reminder (good swift kick in the seat?) about the every day blessings from God. I will go and thank Him for my manna.

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  2. what a great manna list, Sharon. I would have to say on my manna list today its everyone of God's promises, especially the one that says he will never leave us or forsake us and Jesus saying that he is with us to the very end of the age :)

    stay cool today :)

    betty

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  3. Hi Sharon,

    I woke up this morning thanking the Lord for giving me life and light, and for giving me the opportunity to honor Him with my life today. Today, I consciously chose to focus on what God has blessed me with, not what I lack.

    Your post confirms that this is the right thing for me to think and do.

    Blessings and peace.

    MTJ

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  4. I am going to be walking around thinking about this manna post for the rest of the day.

    Such abundance.
    Such faithful provision.
    New every morning.
    More than enough.

    Get up and gather the sweet stuff.

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  5. Amen for that daily bread...this manna list is awesome...for my list I would add...

    In the storms of life, He is steering the boat...

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  6. Hi! Came across your blog through MTJ. I love the Manna List!! 'Food' for thought (pun intended .. groan!)

    -Kim

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  7. #11 on my "manna list" -

    ALL OF YOU!!

    Thanks, everyone - I'm so glad we're all in this life together - bound by our precious Lord Jesus. It's GOOD to be part of His body!!

    Welcome, Kim! So glad you stopped by instead of "loafing" around!! (Had to try to equal that awesome pun!!)

    BLESSINGS TO ALL OF YOU!!

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  8. Loved the manna list. That should be posted in every room of the house, the car, at work......

    ReplyDelete

"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)