In a recent bible study*, about the Tabernacle in the wilderness, I had to list out every verse (Exodus 16) in which the word gather(ed) appeared.  The reason was to see not only how the Lord provided, but to focus on what was required by the Israelites as He did provide them "bread from heaven", which the Israelites called manna.

 

Let's look at what Exodus 16 has to say about their (Israelites) responsibility.

 

v   4.  They were to gather the manna daily

v 16.  They where to gather what they needed for the day

v 17.  Some gathered much, some little - but

v 18.  When gathered and measured the one who gathered much had just the right amount and the one who gathered little didn't have to little; each gathered as much as they needed. (this was a miraculous provision of the Lord)

v 22.   The sixth day they gathered twice as much

v 26.   The Lord commanded they where to gather for six days and rest on the seventh - but

v 27.   Some went out on the seventh day to gather and found no manna.

 

As I did this study the Lord showed me how this is much like our daily walk.  Speaking to the people gathered around Him, the people who had eaten when Jesus fed the multitudes, and where now wanting a sign that they could believe in Him, because "their fathers had ate the manna in the wilderness, the bread out of heaven"  Jesus said to them,  "Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who had given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven.  For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world" They said to Him, 'Lord, give us this bread." to which Jesus said, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger and he who believe in Me shall never thirst." (John 6:32-35) 

 

Jesus is our "Bread from heaven" and we must meet with Him daily to gather our daily provisions.  Exodus 16 is very applicable to our lives now in 2000, for we need to:

 

- Go to Jesus daily and gather the grace, mercy, strength and direction He has for us.

 

- Gather what we need for that day; I always ask the Holy Spirit, the night before, to wake me if I need more time than what I've set the alarm for; He is fully aware of the day that lies ahead of me and He hasn't failed me yet - but I must get up when prompted.

 

- We are to come before Him and gather our daily need, for some this requires more time before Him than others; some are in more stressful situations.  Seek Him as to how much time You need before Him to start your morning; He will supply you with what you need.

 

- We are to gather for six days (not just one) and set the seventh day apart for church (worship and study of God's word), fellowship with other believers.  This is very crucial, because those who only go out and gather on the seventh day are going to starve themselves spiritually for the rest of the week.  Just as our physical bodies need food, so our spirit needs to be fed daily as well.

 

This is our responsibility, we must gather daily; for only God's daily provision can satisfy our spiritual hunger.

 

"I, the LORD, am your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide and I will fill it." (Psalm 81:10)

 

Let us open wide our mouths so that He can fill them.  Please note, He won't force feed us.

 

Heavenly Father, thank You so much that You are so faithful to meet our every need.  Thank You that You are there, waiting for us to come, our mouths opened wide so that You can fill them.  Lord, we choose to seek You and Your guidance daily, to feed our spirits, help us to be faithful to this.  May we rightly represent You in all we do this day.  To You be all glory, oh Bread from Heaven.  In Jesus name we pray.  Amen.

 

Have a joyous day in our Lord!
April

 

Scripture references (unless noted otherwise): The Open Bible, New American Standard
copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws