The Manna Mindset

Two months and fifteen days after God freed the Israelites from Egypt they arrived at the wilderness of Sin. They started to grumble about not having enough food to eat, so God sent manna. What would you expect from people in a wilderness called Sin (Numbers 16:1-8). Moses basically says that “you are not grumbling and complaining against us your leaders but against God and His guidance.” How could anyone forget what happened (God taking care of His people in miraculous ways) two and half months ago? Keith Green in his song “So You Wanna Go Back to Egypt” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foUH4No_SVU) gives us a reminder in a humorous way about how that happened. I know I never have a problem remembering what God continues to do for me, my family, or NPEA. I probably have never complained or grumbled against God about anything (accept the two months I yelled and screamed at Him about my spine), just like you. 

Manna, in the biblical view, is literally the bread of Heaven (Ps. 105:40), a gift of God. Manna was a reminder to the Israelites of God’s unceasing care. “Manna was not something that would be stored up and dispensed gradually, since God is accustomed always to give His gifts afresh” (Philo). “Manna was one of the ten wonders that God created when He fashioned the world. He brought it into being on the eve of the first Sabbath, at twilight”. (Mishnah) “God sent manna to teach Israel that man does not live by bread alone." (B.S. Childs) Find more on manna at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manna.

What does modern day manna look like? How has God showed His compassion towards you after He heard your cry penetrate His ears at an overwhelming volume as your tears dropped to the earth and God felt them touch His palm, in the middle of your desert? Does your manna look like your cancer has gone into remission? Has your manna come in the form of a broken relationship that has been restored? Could be your manna comes in the form of your only meal of the day? Your manna might be your first new pair of used pants in over 6 months? I believe that in the rich and prosperous country we live in manna is too often viewed in very unrealistic terms.

I recently spoke at a church when a homeless man ventured into the service. Every city deals with homelessness. He was not clean, not shaven, didn’t smell great, and his name was Jim. He was invited to have a donut and a cup of coffee. The ladies even prepared some food for him. I talked briefly with him during the Meet & Greet time. He shared he had slept outside last night and a bunch of ants had bitten him. He said he was going through some legal difficulties to clear his name and that’s why he wasn’t working. He was offered a place to shower and shave after the service but went out the back door right after I finished speaking. I believe Jim needed some manna, but it seemed he might not want the version we were offering. Jim also put in perspective for me that maybe I never need manna at all, but I might have manna that others need.

The “manna mindset” (grumbling and complaining to God about what we don’t have) can be tempered or greatly reduced in our lives when we understand how blessed we really are. When God is gracious enough to remind us through people and events that manna is often times in greater demand by others it is our chance to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Manna could be an example of our care for others. Manna could be a gift from us to others. We have opportunities to give out manna daily and refresh someone’s spirit. We could also remind those we dispense manna to that it is the bread of life. God can transform our “manna mindset” into a gracious, honoring, applauding, hailing mind set. Let’s not worry about gathering manna but instead about giving it away!