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Day Two: Nourishment Arrives in Unknown Forms

In the midst of hunger and struggle the Lord appeared to Moses with the strange message that He would rain bread from heaven. He would give the people a new food for the journey. There would be enough of this heavenly bread for each family to gather a daily quota for their household. Bread would come in the morning, and in the evening quails would come and cover the camp.

It is important for us to picture that first morning when the heavenly bread appeared. We are told that when the people got up the morning, dew lay all around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there was a small round substance lying on the ground, as fine as the morning frost. When the people saw it, they did not know what it was. They gave it the name Manna, which means, "What is it?" and continued to be hungry, simply because they did not recognize the heavenly bread as food. They would have starved to death if Moses had not come and instructed them about this new food. Moses told them, "This is the bread which the Lord has given you to eat" (Exodus 16:15). Only then did they stoop down, pick it up and take it into their tents. They were supposed to gather just enough for each household for one day, and none of it was to be left over for the next morning. So, too, the Lord will provide for us each day. When we develop a habit of looking to Him in gratitude, the daily blessings will always be there.

"There was a deposit of dew around the camp" means the truth of peace attaching itself. This is clear from the meaning of "dew" as the truth of peace. The reason why "dew" means the truth of peace is that it comes down in the morning from heaven or the sky and on grassland looks like a light shower of rain. But also it holds a certain sweetness or pleasantness, more so than a shower of rain does, and causes grass and crops in the field to rejoice. Secrets of Heaven 8455

God sees all things, knows all things from eternity, provides all things into eternity, and from Himself maintains all things in their order; from which it is clear that the Lord takes not only overall care but also particular and individual care of all things. Secrets of Heaven 8717

Insight
The word manna means ‘What is it?’ These daily blessings were not originally recognized as food. Keep your mind and heart on the lookout for blessings that come in forms that are unfamiliar to you.

Gratitude Exercise
Today I am grateful for...

Download the Gratitude Exercise in printable form. (PDF)

Discussion Board
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