(Read Exodus 16)
After my morning exercise, I often spend some quiet time reading prayer books written by a longtime friend and business acquaintance. Yesterday, instead of quiet time, I called my friend. We chatted for a good while about what’s new, work, a lot about her health, and the ravaging effects of cancer on her body. (M) is a ray of sunshine not only for me but for the world. She brightens everything around her. You can’t help but smile when you’re in her presence.
(M) told me of the debilitating effects some of the cancer medications have had on her hands, affecting her livelihood and, in a bigger picture, her quality of life. Her acupuncturist suggested a “tea” of ground-up deer antlers and tortoise shells as an alternative. Not long ago, she encountered a shortage of the brew, requiring more deer antlers. She asked everyone she knew. God put the right people in her life at the right time. One friend drove almost 900 miles with a container of antlers for her. (M) was told that she needed more ground antlers to fill up a crockpot full of the concoction. “I prayed to God for help, and the next day I woke up to find a dead deer in my backyard. It was a buck!” she exclaimed. “I was so grateful and thanked God for the antlers. I was overwhelmed,” laughing, she continued, “but you didn’t have to give me the whole deer.”
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.
The Lord said to Moses, “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’”
Exodus 16: 4; 11-12
Don’t misinterpret this reference in the context of my friend. She is not a grumbler. That’s not her personality. Unlike the people under Moses’ watch, she recognizes God’s blessings for her in her own desert. God’s promise to “rain bread from heaven” demonstrates his commitment to provide for His people, even under challenging circumstances. The manna is also a clear symbol of Christ when Jesus referred to himself as the “bread of heaven” that has come down to give life to the world (John 6:33).
In the desert, we see the divine intervention that satisfied their physical needs and served as a powerful symbol of God’s unwavering commitment to his people. They were greeted with a fresh supply every morning, a testament to His endless generosity. God is our ultimate provider. He cares for us with a love that surpasses human understanding — feeding us in body and soul.
(M)’s story got me thinking about how truly awesome and amazing our God is. Nothing can compare to Him. While working on our Christmas card last night, I heard Carrie Underwood’s rendition of “How Great Thou Art” and had to stop to soak in the entire Hymn. I love contemporary Christian music as much as anyone, but some traditional Hymns strike a much deeper chord (excuse the pun) with me. This one stopped me in my tracks.
O Lord my God, When I, in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
As a Methodist Missionary in Ukraine in 1931, Stuart Hine was inspired by a Russian translation of a German song/poem, “O Store God” (O Great God) written by Carl Boberg. Hine translated it into English and added some verses to create the timeless classic, “How Great Thou Art.” As background for the song published in 1949, Hine had witnessed Russian villagers coming to Christ and displaced families who would never see their loved ones again. “How Great Thou Art” has been recognized as one of the number-one hymns in America. It speaks of God’s majesty, glory, love, mercy, and ultimate hope of redemption.
I can’t accurately describe my feelings of smallness compared to God’s greatness when listening to and singing this fantastic song. But at the same time, it serves as a pilot light to ignite my faith and worship of my Lord and Savior. It reminds me of all the incredible provisions God has created for me.
God has provided me with the most perfect and wonderful soulmate I could have imagined. In my journal, I recently wrote that God has brought me to the second saving grace in my life. Thanks to my wife and her Mom, I’m a more active, believing Christian. It’s abundantly clear that God orchestrated our coming together. Nothing else can explain it. We began from two different places on two different trajectories, but through Christ, we are in synchronicity, faithfully living our lives together. We are one in the flesh. I see God’s purpose for her being revealed when I see her. Serendipity can’t explain the effect a direct conversation one night had on me when she drew a line in the sand, telling me it was time to walk the straight and narrow. It was time to be all in. Random chance didn’t give us children to mold for our desires. Only through God’s provisions do we have the opportunity to encourage our children and grandchildren to follow Jesus.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
It’s one thing to understand that we have all the necessary elements to live life, but this song tells me to dig deeper. It tells me to pause and give thanks with unfiltered praise to the One who created it all. My life is far from perfect, with plenty of scars and pain. Times will get harder. My body, like everything else, will entropy. There will be hard goodbyes. Without God, who made everything possible, there would be nothing to be thankful for, remember, cherish, hug, or love.
“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”
Colossians 1:16
Paul’s use of the phrase “for Him” explains more perfectly the reason for all of God’s creation. Christ. All things were created for His glory and to reveal His character. Christ’s absolute authority and sovereignty reign over all creation. He is the Creator, sustainer, and ruler of everything.
Prayers, books, devotionals, discussions, poems, songs, and hymns are all ways we worship and praise God through Christ. I have often wondered why this particular song has always had such a powerful impact on my connection with God. Then, I realized that Jesus is not just a figure of history or a moral teacher but the very foundation and purpose of all existence. “How Great Thou Art” is just a song, not scripture. While hugely inspiring, it’s not God-breathed. Maybe the song’s purpose for me is to express reverence and gratitude for God’s greatness and majesty, His greatness in creation, redemption, and all His attributes, like goodness, mercy, and faithfulness. It invites me to live in awe and gratitude for his presence and provisions.
I thank God for all the beauty and ugliness in my life. I thank Him for the heartaches and loss. I thank God for my life partner who individually makes me better and mutually embodies the love God built and sustains.
The story of the manna reminds us that God is always faithful to provide for his people, no matter what we’re facing. We can trust him to meet our needs, both physical and spiritual. A few hours after I chatted with (M), I saw a dark brown shadow in my office window. When I looked over, there was a good-sized young buck, antlers and all, peering through my window. God provides. How great Thou art!
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!”
How Great Thou art –
Key Application:
- God provided manna to His people, provided daily. Moses told them to gather each day what they needed for that day. Do you rely on God daily for your needs, physically and spiritually? Spend time daily in prayer, reading the Bible, and seeking God’s guidance.
- The Israelites were also to share the manna with those who could not gather it themselves. We should also be generous in sharing God’s blessings with others. What can you do to help?
Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.