#JESUS2019 - Daily DevotionalsSample

I’m not sure if you know the story of manna in the desert. Maybe you could read the whole chapter again in peace and quiet (Exodus 16), because there are some cool things hidden in this story about the bread that came from heaven: 1\. God has humor Did you know that the word manna in Hebrew means “What is this”? It always makes me smile because in my mind’s eye I see two Israelites sitting in front of their tent lifting handfuls of manna. Man 1: Wow, look what we have here! “What is this?” Man 2: Huh? What is this? This is… “What is this”! Man 1:  That’s what I said: “What is this”. Man 2 (rolling his eyes):  “What a stupid name is that?” At the same time, it fascinates me that when anyone is amidst uncertainty, this word reminds them of a great miracle. So, if anyone complains to God in Hebrew, and says “Man, God, what is this?”, they can recall God’s greatness, and the fact that he will always be with them in their hour of need. 2\. God is the provider God wanted his people to trust him as the provider of bread from heaven. But this trust was something he had to teach them. The special thing about manna is that it rotted after one day, except on Sundays. So the people should only collect as much as they needed for that day. They were not to put anything aside, or save it. But that was not easy for the Israelites. And if I am honest, it is not easy in this day and age either. I hoard all kinds of things, even though I don’t really need them. Maybe this shows that I don’t fully see God as my provider yet. ## ACTION STEP: Ask God for a new lesson in trust, and select three items that you like, but no longer really need. Do you know anyone who would be happy to receive these items? ##### Andreas Hörner – ICF Grünheide