Many people say that if God blesses them with great things first, then they would be more faithful or more committed to Him. However, man’s heart is so greedy that in times of plenty, we often tend to take credit for our prosperity and become proud of our achievement, believing that our hard work and cleverness have made us successful or rich. My brother, my sister, God knows us better than we know ourselves! That is the reason why we should always remember today’s verses as God recalls His people that: “He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years.” What does this teach us exactly?
First of all, why is it that when we think that we need more money or more comfort to live on this earth, the Lord humbles us and tells us that He can feed us on His manna? Only to teach us to become dependent on Him. Unfortunately, so many believers suffer in their flesh because they believe that if they earn enough money to dress, eat and play in high style, they will be living the ‘good life’. But such things do not satisfy our deepest longings and can leave us empty and dissatisfied. That is why so many rich people end up in drugs and other things that they are trying to use to fill their emptiness. My friend, real and good life comes only from your total commitment to the Lord and living every word that comes from Him (verse 3).
Secondly, know that as you abandon yourself to the Lord, He will protect you and look after you. The main problem is that we rarely take notice or thank the Lord when our car doesn’t break down, our clothes don’t rip or when we had a whole day without any incident or accident. Just because we take His protection and grace for granted! You see, the people of Israel did the same: they failed to notice that despite wandering 40 years in the wilderness, their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not blister or swell. Thus, they did not remember to thank God for these blessings, only because they have their own ideas of the blessings they expected from God. Just like us! Yes, what do you imagine your blessing should be? Health restoration, a breakthrough, getting married, etc? Well, the Lord wants you to first take notice and thank Him that today you are counted among the living and not among the dead, that you have something to eat today, that you are grateful for what you are doing today because some may not be in the position to do the same either because they are no longer in this world or they have no means to do so… My friend, take notice and remember to thank God for His quiet blessings in your life. Stay blessed in Jesus’ name