Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. This way I will test them to see whether or not they will follow My instructions. In the morning there was a layer of dew all around the camp. When the layer of dew evaporated, there were fine flakes on the desert surface, as fine as frost on the ground. Moses told them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat. This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Gather as much of it as each person needs to eat.’ No one is to let any of it remain until morning.” But they didn’t listen to Moses; some of the people left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and smelled. Exodus 16:4, 15, 19-20
My words…
Praise
Not that it matters, but I think the idea of “daily bread” is brilliant. You provided the ancient Israelites just what they needed for the day. You prevented them from thinking too much about tomorrow. Your message: I have given you what you need for the day. Use it. Don’t save it. This works well for me because I don’t like to eat leftovers. Okay, that is probably not the underlying truth of Your message. Each day You provide me with time, with opportunity, with access, with intention, with purpose. They’re there each day, waiting to be used. They’re gifts, really. You want me to open them, use them, and leave nothing “on the table.” I needn’t worry that the gift will run out. It’s like the oil in the jug of the widow who served Elijah. It’ll all be there again tomorrow.
Prayer for me
Tomorrow. I think a lot about that word. I have far fewer tomorrows than yesterdays. My tomorrows become more precious with each passing day. I don’t have time to leave anything on the table. I need to use it up now. This is Your wisdom poured out on me. Keep it coming, please.
Forgive me
Forgive me for using tomorrow as a receptacle for what I refuse to do today. Today’s “bread” is meant to be eaten today and tomorrow’s “bread” tomorrow. I wonder what my life would be like now if I had lived according to this truth and not saved until tomorrow what I should have done today. I know the answer: I would be the very best version of myself.
Thank You
More than ever, I thank You for Your forgiveness. You love me in spite of my shortcomings, my adolescent attitude, my procrastination. I have never deserved Your forgiveness, and I am so grateful that that has never mattered to You. Deserve it or not, I receive it. I just wish I didn’t need it so much.
More praise
You see my tomorrow although it is not tomorrow for You. My tomorrow is Your now. You are too powerful to be bound by time. Unimaginable! I need not be concerned about the time yet to be. You will take care of my tomorrows.
