Jehovah's Morning Manna

O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Psalm 34:8

“Daddy, what is it?”  That’s what the Israelites’ children must have been asking when they first saw manna—the tiny flake-like bread that appeared with the dew. They named it manna, meaning literally, “What is it?”  (See Exodus 16)

Can you just imagine the other questions they must have been asking?  How does God know where we are?  How does He know how much we need?  Why is it always just the right amount?  Why must we gather it every morning?

God’s people were in the wilderness, and they were hungry.  The Lord saw their need, and sent this mystery bread from heaven to feed each one of them.  They discovered it tasted like wafers with honey, and they found it there for them every single morning until the day after they first ate the produce of the Promised Land.  (See Joshua 5:12)  The only exception was Sabbaths, when they had tasty leftovers—which, too, was a miracle in itself.

Think of such a provision!  Wouldn’t it be great—to know the Lord would provide each day exactly what you need?!

Actually, He can, He will, and He does.  Okay, it’s not necessarily outside on your front lawn, and you can’t usually cook it in a pot, but He does.

He knows where you live—your unique situation, every single special nuance.  He knows exactly what you need—whether patience and tenderness, strength to put one foot in front of the other, inspiration to explain a complicated concept again, or wisdom to understand His ways or to know how to find time to make dinner.  His provision is there, just for you, every day, in His Word, and in His power and strength.

Like the Israelites, we can rely on His provision for each day.  Even the best planners among us cannot foresee what a day will hold, but He is perfectly faithful and anticipates every need before a request is even on our lips.  His Word is rich, nourishing, refreshing, and transforming.  His strength and power, unlike ours, are inexhaustible, and He lavishly supplies, if only we will look to Him.

I’ve found Him so faithful.  We’re needy; He’s rich and He’s generous.  I get out of ideas; He’s The Creator of all.  I stumble and fall in a pit; He rescues me because He delights in me.  When I’m not sure I can face another day, His mercies are new every morning.

It was thinking on these things that inspired a song I made up last week on the way to and from the store.  I’d like to share the words with you, and maybe they will become your heart prayer, too.  If you're interested in some related "manna" selections, there's a great feast awaiting in Psalms 18, 34, and 139.

Jehovah’s Morning Manna

 (Unpublished © 2012 Carol Carpenter)

V 1

Before my feet hit the floor,

From my heart I implore,

Father, provide what we need for this day.

You know where I live;

I trust you to give

What I’ll need in this day—to give away.

CHORUS

Oh, Jehovah’s morning manna is exactly what I need.

Straight from Your hand to my heart,

On Your Word I will feed.

Though a million voices woo me, it’s yours, Lord, I will heed.

I depend on you;

You alone are truth;

I will follow where You lead.

V 2

Sometimes this job is too much.

Oh, I need Your touch

To inspire, to strengthen, to teach.

As You’ve done in the past,

I know You’ll do till the last--

What meets our need is never out of Your reach.

V 3

When I really get down to it,

I’m amazed at how You do it--

You fill our every need Your perfect way.

You can take our messes

And make them sweet successes--

When we abide in You and humbly pray.

V 4

You’ll finish what you start;

There’s no unredeemable part,

And nothing is too difficult for You.

When my impossibilities

Meet all your sensibilities,

There’s nothing left on earth to make me blue.

TAG

I know You’ll see me through;

My eyes are fixed on You.

I trust You, dearest Lord; I really do.