Monday, January 14, 2008

REMEMBERING GOD'S BLESSINGS

Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark

"The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey. Moses said, "This is what the Lord has commanded: 'Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the desert when I brought you out of Egypt.' " So Moses said to Aaron, "Take a jar and put an omer of manna in it. Then place it before the Lord to be kept for the generations to come." As the Lord commanded Moses, Aaron put the manna in front of the Testimony, that it might be kept. The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan." Exodus 16:31-35

God had commanded the Israelite people to rest on the Sabbath day, the only day of the week that they would not be able to collect the manna, the daily bread that the Lord had provided to keep the people of Israel fed as they traveled through the desert. Scripture tells us they would eat "manna forty years, until they…reached the border of Canaan." But God wasn’t finished giving the people His guidance.

For right at the end of Chapter 16, we hear the words of the Lord from Moses as he says, "This is what the Lord has commanded: 'Take an omer (approximately two quarts) of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the desert when I brought you out of Egypt.' " So Aaron, after Moses’ request, puts the manna in the jar as directed and maintained it until the Lord gave His ten commandments on the two stone tablets that would be known as the "Testimony".

There are two very important points to illuminate in this passage that were important then for Israel and they are equally important for us today.

First, God wants us to never forget His goodness and providence. Why did He command for some manna to be collected and saved for generations to come? It was because God didn’t want His mighty, miraculous works forgotten…not in the present…and not in the future. For when the Exodus generation became older, they would surely tell the younger generations what the Lord had done for them…how He had sent this unique food called manna…a bread that was "white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey." And just in case that they questioned their testimony, then the jar of manna could be shown…a remnant and physical evidence that supported the Lord’s mighty acts of mercy and deliverance.

Question: Have you saved any evidence of God’s goodness toward you, something that you can use in a testimony to future generations? What present day "manna" can you share with others?

Second, the Lord wants us to testify about Him. To share accounts of how He has helped us in times of need. God isn’t glorified before others when we remain silent and keep stories of His goodness to ourselves. He expects us to share our testimonies with others so they too can see how very much God blesses His children. I don’t know about you but I am consistently inspired by the testimonies of others as they tell of what God has done for them. It’s no wonder why God expects us to testify about Him.

Question: Have you shared your testimonies lately? Have you told others all the things God has done for you? You may want to consider writing your testimonies down so that they might be able to be passed to future generations. Through your words and accompanying actions, you can help lead others to a lifestyle of service and worship centered solely on the Lord…our Redeemer and Friend.

Keep in mind that God richly blesses us to not only answer our needs in whatever the circumstance…not only to remind us of His power and provision…but also to share with others. Won’t you tell someone about all the awesome things that God has done for you today?

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.

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