Then the LORD said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people will go out and gather the amount for each day, so that I may test them. Will they walk in my law or not? On the sixth day they will prepare what they bring in, and it will be twice as much as they gather every other day.”
Into the Text
Do you trust me? It’s a question we have been asked before, maybe by a parent, friend, spouse, or teacher. How you respond to that question depends on the character of the one asking.
Here in Exodus 16, the Israelites have successfully escaped the clutches of the Egyptians. They now find themselves in the desert devoid of the pleasures and conveniences they had previously enjoyed. God asks the Hebrew nation to trust Him to provide their needs, specifically their food.
One would think that after witnessing the miracle at the Red Sea the people would be completely surrendered to God, eager to trust His plan. Yet we find them complaining. God, in His mercy, steps in to provide manna.
Notice God doesn’t provide an overabundance to save for later. Rather, He provides exactly what they need each day, including enough for the Sabbath. He asks the people to trust Him. Some do and some don’t. But God continually proves Himself faithful.
Though we may not see manna covering the ground like the Israelites did, God knows what we need. He provides in the right time and in the right way. We are in the same position as the Israelites to trust God to provide what we need each day.
The question is then…Will you trust Him?
Prayer
God, thank you that you are faithful and provide me with exactly what I need. When I am tempted to complain or doubt, help me instead to trust your will and your ways. Amen.