The Test of Plenty

Scripture Reading: Exodus 16

Today's Treasure: "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' " (Exodus 16:4).

The account of God supplying manna to the children of Israel is one of Scripture's most beautiful expressions of God's provision. He allowed His children to become hungry in a barren wilderness. They had neither means nor hope of acquiring food.

God certainly didn't intend to let His children starve, but He could have met their needs in other ways. He could have caused the desert to produce vegetation—a small task for the Creator. He could have dulled their appetites and reduced their bodies' requirement for food—another small task for the One who formed the human body. Instead, He chose to rain down bread from heaven's kitchen six days a week for 40 years. They never had to ask. Surrounded by barrenness, they received plenty.

Tucked away in this marvelous chapter is a phrase we must not miss: "In this way I will test them." A constant dose of plenty can sometimes be a more difficult spiritual test than a constant dose of need. We have plenty—but we "need" more.

We in these United States live in a land of manna. Perhaps because our nation was founded on Christ, almost everyone can daily put something in their stomachs if only they will "go out and gather it up." But sometimes we forget that not everyone's daily supply is as simple to gather as ours may be. Inhabitants of other lands starve to death every day. We must not merely breathe a sigh of relief and be thankful we're not among them. Our plenty is a test.

What is the purpose of the test of plenty? According to Exodus 16:4, to "see whether they will follow my instructions." God is pinpointing an overwhelming tendency in human nature. We are far less likely to be obedient when we are not in need.

Necessity has a way of reordering our priorities, doesn't it? If we belong to Christ and find ourselves lacking, sooner or later we may begin evaluating whether or not we're living obedient lives God can bless. Coming face to face with need is a very effective prompter toward obedience. But what about a daily dose of plenty? I'm not referring to wealth—just the absence of worry as to whether or not our families will eat each week. Like the Israelites in the wilderness, our greatest dilemma is how we'll cook and serve our manna today, not whether we'll have the manna.

Herein lies the test. Must we be in immediate need to live obedient lives?

God is so faithful. So daily. Oh, how He delights in obedience prompted from something deeply internal—a heart of love and devotion. Ask Him today to help you become a child of God whose levels of obedience are less regulated by circumstances and more governed by love.

Loving Father, thank You for the abundant provision of manna I receive each day from You. Forgive me for taking this abundance for granted. I repent of complaining about the "burden" of gathering and preparing this manna. My family and I are so blessed to have anything to eat at all, much less the meals of our choice.

I ask now for Your provision of manna for those who are truly starving all around the world, specifically in Sudan. Lord, I ask for the malnourished Sudanese refugees to be given food, clean water, shelter and medical attention. Please clear the way for relief agencies to do the work that must be done to save lives. Please raise up Your sons and daughters to give and to pray. Ultimately, I ask for the salvation of the Sudanese people, who are precious in Your sight.

Please forgive me for growing rebellious and disobedient during times of ease. I pray to develop such sincere love and devotion that my obedience will not waver during seasons of famine or abundance. Help me pass the test of plenty, dear Lord. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

For more information about the crisis in Sudan, follow this link:

http://www.baptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=18654

Adapted from Whispers of Hope, by Beth Moore, page 89. Nashville: LifeWay Press, 1998. Used by permission.