More Than Enough

Exodus 16:4
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.

You know, I've read this story before but I've never really understood the deeper meaning until now.  To say the Children of Israel were ungrateful after being delivered out of Egypt would be an understatement.  Rather than rejoice that they had just escaped slavery, a violent death, and had been given a second chance at life, they chose to just be mad.  They were tired and far from home and hungry.

So they started to complain... a lot.  They began to long for their old lives in Egypt.  "So what if I was a slave. At least I wasn't starving!" (this is probably what I would have been saying)  It sounds to me like the Children of Israel were dropped into a situation where they had absolutely no control.  They were completely reliant on God and His timing and they did not like it one bit.  At this point in my reading, I noticed a footnote: "For a better example of grouchy control freaks who just want some carbs, see 'Celeste' circa 2011."  Needless to say, this story was hitting home with me.

Notice how God used food and portion control to teach the Children of Israel how to trust Him.  He rained bread from Heaven but told them to only take what they needed for that day. When they did not follow God's instructions exactly, the bread turned wormy and ruined.  I think this principle is exactly what God is teaching me.  If I will follow His instruction wholeheartedly, He will lead me out of slavery and provide for my every need.  If I try to take matters into my own hands, my efforts are going to be like that bread - wormy & ruined.  This really makes the whole "Give us this day our daily bread" verse take on a whole new meaning.

So here is my prayer for today:  God, please help me not to be greedy when it comes to food. Help me to be satisfied with my portion.  Help me to remember that You are more than enough for me.

Celeste