Are You Tired of the Manna?

The year was 2014. Every morning I dreaded getting out of bed to start another day. It was a hard year to say the least. I really needed to see the Lord work in a special way. I determined to begin the year by asking God for miracles, and I started a list in my journal for those miracles. Day after day passed with weariness, but my miracle list began to grow. If I were to show you that list today, you would think 2014 was the best year of my life!

Being a Christian brings with it many blessings, but life, even the Christian life, is full of challenges. Moving forward in God’s ways and in God’s work takes intentionality and effort. ​Although Paul admonishes us to “not be weary in well doing,” every season of our lives brings unique reasons for being tired. When we focus on the challenges the blessings fade into the background, and our attitude can take a downward spiral.

When I read about the Israelites, I see they struggled with their trials too. God miraculously delivered them from slavery out of Egypt. He revealed Himself to them by His miracles, care, and guidance. Yet, their focus was misplaced, and their attitude was horrible much of the time.
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​For example, look at the miracle of the manna which was their food provision in the desert. We need to realize we are probably talking about two million people. Can we even imagine how much food that would take to satisfy them? They were in a desert. Where could they find enough food to feed this nation?  “Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day” (Exodus 16:4).
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This was amazing! The Bible describes the manna as “bread from heaven, corn from heaven, like wafers made with honey.” Hebrew writers referred to it as angels’ food.

God was taking care of His people in a miraculous way with angels’ food from heaven! What was the response of the Israelites? In their own words from Numbers 11:6, “our soul is dried away; there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.” Can you hear the disgust and complaining in this verse? We look at the Israelites and shake our heads at their ungratefulness, but is God looking down at His people today and shaking His head at us for getting tired of our manna? Are we tired of our daily routines, work, household chores, tired of our families and friends, tired of church and our ministries? We do not want to be described like the ungrateful Israelites!  We need to choose gratitude over bad attitude.

Are you tired of the manna—God’s wonderful blessings and provisions in your life? God gives us each new day as a gift. Lamentations 3:22, 23 remind us that “the Lord’s mercies…are new every morning!” Count your blessings and be careful not to tire of your manna.

When we find ourselves tired of the manna—tired of our daily routine, work, chores, families, friends, church and ministries, how do we intentionally choose gratitude over bad attitude?