"Manna from heaven" 

Ex 15.27-16.21 & Num 11.1-35 

Between Elim and Sinai is the Desert of Sin. Elim had 12 springs and 70 palm trees - at Sinai the Presence of God and His Glory was revealed.  In between those two it was terrible...the desert called "Sin." So, where are you?

There are some things in this story that I believe are significant to everyone in any century or setting. First, I see in Exodus 16.2, "In the desert the whole community grumbled..." This is the first sign to me of someone in the desert of "Sin." Now, I'm using the definition of sin as 'separation from God.' That would make an act of sin anything that would distance me from God.

Some of those acts are deliberate and intentional, some are inadvertent and unintentional. Nonetheless, I find myself distanced from God and wonder why, what, when, where, and how come? When I find myself disgruntled and out of sorts...yep, I'm probably at least one foot into the desert of "Sin."

Secondly, I find in Exodus 16.4, "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.' "

"...and see whether they will follow my instructions..."  Now that's the rub for humanity. We have each had our delusions that our rightful place in this world has at least 12 springs and 70 palm trees. To go from that to a promise of all the bread you can eat in each day - big deal. When "God can supply all our needs according to His riches in Glory..." who wants bread, even if it is all you can eat?! And, who needs instructions about gathering and eating bread??? There is NO need for instruction in gathering and eating bread or there would have been a Food Channel or HGTV show on the subject!!

I recognize I'm probably at least TWO feet into the desert of "Sin" when I find myself irritated with God's instructions that really don't meet my ongoing needs of 12 springs and 70 palms.

You see, I'm not interested in the life of a pilgrim...I'm more suited for the life of palm branches waving - and pineapples, coconuts, mangos and gentle breezes along with cool beverages and everyone happy I'm 'me.'

This old preaching of "manna" as though it was a wonderful thing...those were preachers who came out of the 'depression.' My friend, manna isn't much in our day, today, but God is sending it to see if we can follow instructions!

So, Lord, "...give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory...for ever" and ever and ever.