Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not. And on the sixth day that they shall prepare what they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.”
Exodus 16:4-5 NKJV
The people had begun to complain. They were traveling and unable to grow and harvest grain and produce. They were hungry and needed food. In our Scripture passage today, God not only provides what they need but also tests their obedience.
Each day, God will rain down bread from heaven for the Israelites. All they have to do is go out and gather it. However, they have been instructed to only gather what they need for that day. There was a limit as to what each person could gather daily. On the sixth day, they could gather twice as much. This is because the seventh day was the Sabbath, and they were to rest on the Sabbath.
This wasn’t just about food; it’s about so much more. God is testing their obedience. He has given specific instructions. Why do you think He is only providing enough food for each day? He wants them to trust Him day by day. We are told in Hebrews 11:6 that without faith it is impossible to please God. They had been grumbling and complaining, which implied a lack of faith.
Do you trust God day by day, or do you worry about what will happen a couple of days or even months from now? God never changes. So, the same God that tested these Israelites’ obedience will test us as well.
If we can remember that hard times for Christians are merely tests, it makes it a bit easier. God tests how we will react. This is how our faith is tested. When we trust in God, we need not worry as we go through hard times. We simply need to focus on Him and trust in Him.
When we surrender to God, we trust that He’s got us. We trust that He will take good care of us. We trust that He will provide for our needs just as He provided food for the Israelites. But we must trust in the good times as well as the bad. Some of you are too busy worrying about tomorrow to enjoy the blessings God has provided today.
God doesn’t just want us to trust for a day now and then. He wants us to understand we need Him every hour. He wants us to put our trust in Him all the time, every day.
Two of my favorite verses in the Bible are Genesis 50:20, where Joseph tells his brothers, “As for you, you meant evil for me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” Joseph had been sold into slavery by his brothers; it doesn’t get much worse than that, but he continued to trust God, and God brought him to be the second in power in all of Egypt.
Romans 8:28 is another favorite. Paul said in this verse, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Sadly, we often worry. Worry doesn’t help us; it can often hurt us. Stress or anxiety can cause a whole host of health problems. We can ruin our health and waste precious time worrying about things that we have no control over. Why not give control of it all over to the One who controls all things? I promise you, it makes all things better.
Obey God, trust in Him. Lamentations 3:22-23, “Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: Great is Your faithfulness.”
We need God every hour. He wants us to trust in Him day by day. Don’t worry, trust God. Remember all the times He has helped you before and provided for you. Trust in Him, count your blessings, and let Him handle the rest.
Have a great day!