Do we ever take the time to think about all we have to be grateful for? We take so much for granted but think about how much God does and provides for every day of our lives! Our bodily rhythms are so necessary and we take them for granted but why? I can’t control them. In Exodus 16 the Children of Israel are about to come face to face with what they can’t provide for in the Desert of Sin. In the commentary below it said: The Desert of Sin was a vast and hostile environment of sand and stone. Its barren surroundings provided the perfect place for God to test and shape the character of his people.

There’s no food. How do they respond? With grumbling because they are not used to being in this environment they have no control over and they haven’t yet learned to ask and trust God. What if they had? Can you imagine if they had emerged from their tents in the morning and asked God “What are we doing today? I’m so excited to be with You!” Remember how exciting it was as kids to anticipate a new day? Why not now? He could have shown them the miracle of the glory of the Lord taking care of them V. 7. That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. v. 13-15. In this inhospitable landscape, quail and bread…manna…were provided.

Have you ever planned a fun and exciting day and one of your kids was in a really bad mood or maybe you were that child and couldn’t shake the frown and bad attitude. Remember how it brought everyone down and made everyone tense? Or a day is going well until things fall apart and we slide right into that frustrated, angry attitude. Does it really have to be that way?

God tells Moses to instruct the Israelites in how they are to gather the manna for 6 days taking only what they need for that day; taking double on the 6th day so they have enough for the 6th and 7th day so that they can rest on the 7th day…a sabbath rest, a holy sabbath to the Lord who provided not only food but rest. What if they had gladly done all that the Lord asked? What if their hearts were so turned to Him that they were up for whatever He told them? Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story – those he redeemed from the land of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south. Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:1-9.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30. Jesus’s words to you and me. He gave light, shade, rest, food, water, protection to our ancestors in a hostile desert. Thankfully, He knows what we are and our grumbling doesn’t surprise or trouble Him. The written record of our ancestors is there to remind us how faithful God is. I’m learning to trust Him and ask without grumbling because I want so badly to be with Him and in eager expectation await what each moment with Him brings. What are we doing today? I’m so excited to be with You! A truly beautiful verse…While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of Lord appearing in the cloud. v. 10. He was so faithful to them and He is so faithful to us today. Draw near to Him and let your heart speak to Him what no words know. Fill your heart for Him with love and know His love and peace for you.