The God Who Provides!

Read Joshua 5:9-12. Key Verses: 11 On the day after the passover, on that very day, they ate the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. 12 The manna ceased on the day they ate the produce of the land, and the Israelites no longer had manna; they ate the crops of the land of Canaan that year. God provided and God provided. This passage is about provision and obedience. It comes at a time when the people of God celebrated their first Passover in the Promised Land. It is interesting to note this significant event shows that while they wandered in the wilderness, God provided this heavenly bread known as manna. It was shared with them at a point where they doubted their decision and commitment to leave Egypt (which honestly was most of the 40 years journey). God provided this flaky bread as well as quail for their meals. On the very day after the celebration of Passover, "they ate the produce of the land," as had been promised, and "unleavened cakes and parched grain." They also noticed that the manna that God had provided for many years ended on that day. The rest of their lives from that point on, "they ate the crops of the land of Canaan that year." A dear friend was sharing with me last night that upon marrying his wife and getting to know his new in-laws, he noticed a great difference in the way his family had eaten meals and hers. His family offered what we Southerners call "a spread," a huge meal with two meats, and choices of many vegetables. Her family ate from what he described "a small casserole." The routine became that after dinner with her family he would stop at a McDonald's or other fast food place for his "real supper." It's interesting how we mark passages and memories with food. This passage is no difference. We know and celebrate and thank God for God's provision to us all the time. It is an acknowledgement of God's presence and involvement in our lives. The Church celebrates meals, too. Every month the United Methodist Church celebrates at least once, the Sacrament of Holy Communion. It is a celebration and reminder of what God did, is doing, and will do in our lives. The Church also is known for its fellowship meals, in which we celebrate our being alive and together in God's work. May it also be a reminder of the message we still have to share with so many. I learned from a pastor friend many years ago to ask at the end of Communion, "Has everyone been served?" with a loud answer, "NO! Look around there are still to many missing who have yet to hear from us what God has done for them. It is up to us to share with them this precious meal that awaits them." PRAYER: Indeed, precious, providing God, You have shared so much with us and we are thankful. Forgive us for not sharing and inviting others as we should. May the day come when here on the earth many will have come because of our invitation and example of how much You care and love for them. We pray in the name of He who provided His body and blood for us, Jesus the Christ, our Lord and Savior, amen.