Fun in the Son…Freedom with Christ
So, if the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:36, NIV)
July 6th, 2022
REFUEL: MANNA from HEAVEN; DAILY BREAD
My daughter asked me a question a handful of years ago that left me stumped. ‘Course at the time, I was just beginning to care what God thought, new to wanting to know His opinion of me, not yet ready to leave the world I had been playing in behind in exchange for His purpose for me. So, it wasn’t any wonder that I stammered and realized I had no right to try to guess at an answer that would be sufficient.
She explained that every day she had been finding herself praying first thing of a morning for God to give her grace for her family, patience with the children, restraint with her husband, grit to be the best mom and wife they deserved, even when she didn’t feel like it or was too tired or had her own hurdles to high-jump. She said she asked God every day, and still she struggled every day, and found herself asking Him for the same thing every day because it didn’t last, it wasn’t working long-term, it ran out. The question she had been contemplating was why did she have to seek God’s face for it daily? Why wasn’t asking Him to give her grace for her family once and for all enough, especially when she wasn’t asking for something self-motivated or selfish or self-seeking?
It would be several years later when I would finally understand and have an answer. I realize now God the Father likely won’t ever give any one of us something we have requested of Him conclusively. I believe God wants His children to seek Him daily for what we need. If He gave us what we asked for, no matter how humble or gratuitous or altruistic our request might be, then we would have diminishing need for Him, lessening reasons to approach Him and appeal to Him for guidance, self-sufficient to meet our own weaknesses, garner our own grace.
In the Old Testament Book of Exodus, the Israelites were handfed by God manna from Heaven. Manna, meaning ‘what is it’ was a flaky substance almost, like wafers of honey. Manna appeared miraculously every morning for forty years as food sent from God to feed the Israelites on their journey. Curious however, it was a daily provision, and could not be saved for the next day, except for on Sundays. Then, and only then, it did not spoil. The Israelites tried to horde it and hide it, but it would disintegrate unless it was the Sabbath, but for the Sabbath, they were able to store enough for two days. It bred maggots and stank otherwise, if the people attempted to save it. It literally was daily bread.
So, I wonder what happens when we try to horde what God has for us? He gives us just enough to meet our momentary needs, but any more than that, can have negative and long-lasting effects, detrimental outcomes. I think our God wants to supply our daily needs, and to be not only a daily God, but even a moment-by-moment friend, an ever-present help in time of need.
If I could answer my daughter’s question today, what I would say is, ‘Go to Him daily, even hourly, moment-by-moment, if necessary; ask Him for that grace. Crawl up in His lap, snuggle with Him, listen to Him sing over you and tell you a story about the grace He is giving and why He only gives enough for this day, for this moment.’ I would say, ‘Think about it: if it was one of your children, your husband. Wouldn’t you want them to come to you daily to ask you for something? You wouldn’t want to give it all away, all at once, to your family, where they never needed it again from you, where they didn’t have any reason to come into your presence every day, even every hour, to request something from you. Your Father is no different. His greatest desire is to spend time with you, hear you need something of Him, have you come to Him with your requests. In my opinion, that’s why God doesn’t give it all at once, but rather, daily manna from heaven to meet our needs, so we must depend upon Him. Day by day.’ That’s what I’d answer today. If I were given the chance.
Genesis 35:11, ‘“I am God, and I am more than enough.”’ (TPT)
Out of all the living things God made, He created mankind to BE. Whatever, whoever, you are, Beautiful You, BE the best version of you; BE the change this world needs; BE filled; BE free!
