For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Memory of the Month: 2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Today's reading: NUMBERS 3-4 MARK 3:20-35
Everyday Manna
Over 35 years ago, I went to the Yucatan on a short mission trip to preach Jesus. There was a very small church the Lord had given us as base for that time to which we would get up early and walk each morning. One thing was the same each day. As we walked, we would see women with what appeared to be about two quart bowls in size walking to and from a masa shop. (Masa is ground corn used for making tortillas. Most did not have refrigerators so they bought only what they could use in a day.)
We learned quickly that you did not interfere with a woman going after the morning masa. They were women on a mission to feed their families and they would not stop for anyone or anything.
The Jews had left Egypt and were in the desert complaining about their hunger and God gave them manna in the morning and quail in the evening. This is recorded in Exodus 16:1-36. God told them to only gather what they could use in a day or what was left would spoil. God told them to gather enough for two days on the sixth day and He made it last through the Sabbath.
In this age of Grace God provides for us the spiritual food we need each day. The question for us today is how much do we gather and how serious are we in being fed and making sure those around us are fed?
The thatched-roofed huts in the Yucatan in which most folks lived usually had a tiny little shelter just back of each hut where women, usually the grandmothers, would sit on the ground next to a small, low fire covered with a flat piece of thin metal and make tortillas. All day, everyday, there were always fresh tortillas-no masa left at day's end.
The Jews complained and God provided-one day at a time. The Mayan women know the reality of gathering just enough for the day. The Jews then and the Mayans now share one common truth: the necessity of gathering. If no one gathers, no one eats and the supply for the day is missed.
Do we share this urgency? Are we really serious about our faith? For those of us who call ourselves real believers in Christ, are we serious enough to not let anyone or anything get in the way of our seeking God in the morning or gathering the meat in the evening?
There has never been any acceptable excuse for our omission of the only real thing that matters in this earthly life: seeking God's kingdom in Christ, loving God, loving our neighbors as we love ourselves.
God's provision of daily bread is absolute. All we need-all that God wants us to learn and know in a day is given everyday. How important is it to us to gather what God provides each day?
Let's get busy.
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven,
I am guilty of ignoring Your provision of righteous wisdom everyday. Have mercy on me and grant me strength in resolve to seek with all I am for Your glory. Thank You, Lord.
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