Thank You, Father, for Your watch care in our travels back and forth to Columbus yesterday through storms and heavy traffic. We may not have seen it take place but surely Your hand was there keeping us from harm. You are our provider and our protector!

Revelation 2:17 (<<click green)

Throughout Your word, Lord, You have sustained us. Early on in the Israelites journey after their bondage in Egypt, You provided bread from heaven – manna (It always makes me smile to think what this word means in Hebrew, the ancient language of the Israelites It literally means, “What is it?”). What they needed in their 40 years of wandering (because of their disobedience) You provided manna, bread from heaven – never too little, never too much.

Later, You were born amongst us to live Your life amongst us. While teaching as an adult some called for a miraculous sign as proof that You were who You claimed to be and manna was brought up. (John 6:30-59) Some highlights from this interaction are,

“My Father…offers you the true bread from heaven. The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” vs. 32-33

[You] replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty…. For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day.” vs. 35, 38-39

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. Yes, I am the bread of life! Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever… vs. 47-51

As believers, we can partake of “bread of heaven” in the here and now. If we are “victorious” in living our lives here for You, we will be given “some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven.” (Revelation 2:17)

Lord, thank You for providing Yourself – sacrificing Yourself – so that I may be victorious. You are truly my sustainer and provider. Praise Your holy name!

July 11th, Tues, 6:16 am