About the Manna

In Psalm 78:24 it reads: "he rained down manna for the people to eat, he gave them the grain of heaven."

I have never gone out of my way to study the meaning of manna, but one thing I have always known is that it was something God provided for the Israelites in a time of need. I didn't name this blog "Manna from Hannah" because I think there is anything good that comes from me. I named it "Manna from Hannah" because I want to use the opportunities God has given me to let his light and manna shine through me. The idea to for the name actually came about when Noah and I took a trip to Franklin, North Carolina to visit his grandparents. We were sitting in the living room chatting about my blog ideas and Noah's Papa jokingly mentioned that I should name it, "Manna from Hannah." I loved it (I didn't tell him I was going to actually name it this, so Mr. Bill if you are looking at this...surprise and thank you)!

Manna was thought to taste like little honey crackers. I'm sure they tasted good; especially since it's about the only thing they ate. If you tried to save the manna or store them up, it would immediately go bad. When God sent the Israelites manna, he sent just enough to provide for them for that one day. He desired that they would continue to rely on Him because He loved them and wanted to take care of them. As they are on their journey through the desert to the promised land, God's people become tired, frustrated, and ungrateful.

TIRED, FRUSTRATED AND UNGRATEFUL EVEN THOUGH THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE

#1. HAD delivered them from the hands of Pharaoh (the man that had them in harsh slavery).

#2. HAD taken them on a journey to a land "flowing with milk and honey."

#3. HAD provided for them along the way in a harsh desolate desert.

#4. HAD revealed amazing miracles through His nature and Moses (their leader).

Exodus 3:17

"and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, A LAND FLOWING WITH MILK AND HONEY."

This is a promise. But the Israelites lacked faith. They couldn't see the land flowing with milk and honey. They were in the middle of nowhere. They were tired and hungry physically and spiritually, even though God provided for them in each of those ways. So many times I find myself as the Israelites. So many times I'm so wrapped up in what I want that I don't see what God's doing. Over and over, I lack faith and I complain. Thankfully, step by step I am learning to just soak in the word and pray when my feelings rise up like that. Manna was known as "the bread from heaven," but do I treat God's provision through His word like that? God wants us to believe his promises and trust him, even when the circumstances aren't as we wish. The Israelites were looking to satisfy their tummies with what sounded lovely to them; they even wished to go back into slavery so they could eat the Egyptian food again. How often am I trying to ask God to satisfy what I want instead of trusting him with what He has for me? How often am I wishing to go back into the slavery God pulled me out of just to have that quick fulfillment? God gives us the manna provision so that we rely on him to lead us to the milk and honey. Doesn't that sound beautiful? Trusting his promises can be difficult. We are in a battle, and it will continue to rage on until we reach the ultimate milk and honey, but slavery is not the beautiful side of the battle. Persevering in the Lord knowing you are fighting the battle from the victory He has already won is the beautiful side! He delivers, promises, loves, provides, and so much more. We have victory in him and the manna is a beautiful blessing in the victory.

I am excited about the manna God will provide in my everyday life, and I'm excited to share manna on this blog!