“Then the manna ceased . . .” Joshua 5:12

“So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.” Deuteronomy 8:3

The people of God had wandered in the wilderness for forty years, sustained by a daily provision of manna that fell from the sky. The promised land was waiting. They crossed the Jordan River into the land. And then… no more manna.

Living by the Word of God is a journey of faith.  We can trust Him for the most basic of needs. The manna is the bread of heaven, a gift from God, and a life-giving resource in the believer’s life. But there’s more… He wants to grow your faith.

A life of faith is always in motion. The faith I exercised in Him yesterday must be renewed today. My faith delights Him (Hebrews 11:6). It is to be a continual, heartfelt response to what He is doing… now… and in every moment.

A life of faith is always in response to what God has said. I can’t control Him, guide Him, or make Him do my will. I can’t decide what God needs to be doing today in my life or the lives of those I pray for… but I can seek Him. I can wait on Him for direction in how to pray. Once He speaks and His desire is clear to me… then I know what to ask for and what to expect (1 John 5:14). My faith can only rest in His Word (Romans 10:17).

So the manna fell for forty years… and then it stopped. It was a training tool to grow and deepen faith in the hearts of His people. Can I trust Him? Must I take care of me? Or will He take care of me?  The daily manna for your life is a reminder that you are always cared for and that He is always reliable.

However, there are rivers to be parted and crossed. There are walls that need to come down, captives to be set free, and battles to be won. He is calling you to trust Him for more than your daily bread… He wants to enter into your circumstances, as well as into the life situations of people you know. He taught us to ask for His rule in heaven [where there is no Satan, no sickness, no sin] to be expressed on earth (Matthew 6:10). He wants to show Himself as a living God (2 Chronicles 16:9).

In a journey of faith, don’t be alarmed when the manna ceases… He always has an abundance for you (Philippians 4:11-13)… but get ready for the larger work of God.

He wants to come!