As I thought about what encouragement I could bring today, I was reminded how shaky I feel these days. With school schedules in flux, the unpredictability of a pandemic, and trying to establish new personal and professional routines, I feel as scattered as a deer in the headlights or a squirrel in front of an oncoming car!
When I stopped to consider this, though, I realized something: God wants more for me than this! He wants me to lay my needs before Him and trust Him to meet them.
I pictured the Israelites in the wilderness, living on nothing but manna. Every single day, God provided exactly what they needed to sustain them. Their job was simply to retrieve it and receive its nourishment. It feels so intimate to me, this walking around gathering manna dropped by the Father, Himself.
Manna for Us.
Brace yourself for a lightning bolt of truth: He promises the same for you and me! All we must do is accept it. As I pondered what manna God had for me to gather and share, today, more verses began to flow.
- He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6).
- Those who seek the Lord will lack no good thing (Psalm 34:10).
- He is with us always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).
- He will meet all our needs, according to His riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
- He has given us everything we need to live a life of godliness (2 Peter 1:3)
How to Receive It
So, we know it’s ours, this manna of sustenance, but how do we receive it? Well, the answer is simple, though not necessarily easy: We plant our feet and stand on Jesus.
- Jesus is the cornerstone on which to build our lives (Psalm 118:22).
- Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength (Luke 10:27).
- We can stand on His promises. They are yea and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20).
- We keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
My friend, there is such comfort in God’s presence, promises, faithfulness, and provision. When we find ourselves far from God, two things are certain: One of us has moved, and it isn’t God!
So, if you find yourself with that deer in the headlights feeling, rest assured you are not alone. You serve the God who never changes and never leaves you. Take a deep breath. Plant one foot then the other firmly on Jesus, and know you are safe in His arms.
Lord, Jesus, thank you for promising to sustain us through every situation. Help us plant our feet firmly on you to receive every gift and promise you long to give us. May we be ever mindful of your gifts, always on the lookout for your provision of grace, peace, power, and every other good gift. In Jesus’ name, amen.