Several days ago, during my morning prayer time, I was reading the devotion for the day in Alistair Begg’s Truth for Life, Volume One (page 42), titled Enough for Today. It focused on the story in Exodus where God provided manna daily for His people. Begg writes, “the Israelites’ experience of wandering in the wilderness required their total dependence on God to meet their daily needs – God supplied enough for one day and one day only.”
In many of the places I have had the honor to go and minister, there are people still living like this. Americans, for the most part, experience seasons of dependence – but for many around the world, it is a daily reality.
If you read the story in Exodus 16, you will find that some of the Israelites doubted God’s instruction to collect only enough manna for one day. They gathered more, only to find that what they stored rotted with worms. Begg points out that “doubting God’s promises leads to disobeying God’s commands.” This is an important lesson for all of us, especially in a season where the enemy is abundantly sowing doubt of God’s Word and His promises.
For me personally, in times of need I try to keep my focus on God and His faithfulness, not on the specific provision itself. In some of the places I have ministered, I have been challenged – and at times in awe – of the faith of believers who have so much less than most Americans yet respond to great need with genuine confidence: “God is faithful. God will provide.”
I love that order – first trust in God’s faithfulness, which then leads to a confident declaration of His faithfulness.
It is also significant that God instructed some manna to be kept as a testimony for future generations. Our obedience today becomes the testimony and faith builder for those who follow.
This speaks directly to the heart of Lifted Hands as we seek to:
- Spread the Gospel
- Strengthen churches and ministries
- Train up the next generation
- Help those in need
God showed Israel that they were His personal concern. In the places Lifted Hands serves, we hope to be a tangible expression of that same concern. Your prayers and financial support help make that possible.
