Exodus 16:4-5 “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. On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.'” NIV

The other night as I lay in bed contemplating the days finished work and what needed to be done on the morrow, once again I felt somewhat overwhelmed: So much to do, so little time to do it in. It was then that the story of God feeding His people with manna came to my mind. Everyday God rained down bread from heaven that His people would be well nourished amidst their trek through the desert. And every day, except on the Sabbath they were to go out and collect the manna. The manna, other than when God so ordained it, did not keep for the next day, picking it up was a daily task.

And then it came to me: God is still providing daily manna for me each and every day, if I will only take the time to collect it. Through the disciplines of prayer, meditation, and fellowshipping with Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit within, my spiritual basket collects the manna of His guidance, strength, wisdom and anything else I might need for my day.

Wow, spiritual manna from heaven. What an amazing thought. Available daily to each and every one of us, if we will only make and take the time to collect and feed upon it.

What are you collecting in your spiritual basket today: Worldly junk food or manna from heaven? Prayer: Father God, thank you for spiritual manna, available to us daily. May we choose to collect it through the disciplines of prayer, meditation and fellowship with Christ through Your Holy Spirit, that we might be nourished and strengthened for the tasks of the day. In Christ’s name we ask. Amen.

Lynne Phipps Atlin, B.C.