But thankfully, God is working in this area of my life and is teaching me to have a spirit of trust and to live one day at a time.
Receiving God's manna each day
Lately, I have been reading and pondering over the scriptures in Exodus when God gave daily manna to his people who were in the wilderness. What has really spoken to me was how God gave the people fresh manna each day and he didn't want them to gather any more than what was required for that day. He wanted them to simply receive the food he faithfully provided.
Exodus 16 verse 4 - Then the Lord said to Moses, "Look, I'm going to rain down food from heaven for you. The people can go out each day and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether they will follow my instructions."
Later we find out what happens when the people tried to gather tomorrow's portion for that day.
Exodus 16 verses 19-20 - Moses said to them, "No one is to keep any of it for tomorrow. But some of them did not listen to Moses and saved part of it." The next morning it was full of worms and smelt rotten, and Moses was angry with them.
Wow! How many times can we try and get ahead of ourselves and want tomorrow's portion today? But God wants us to receive his manna fresh each day.
We see this further when Jesus taught the disciples to pray. He said, "Give us THIS day our daily bread" (Matthew 6 verse 11).
And in Lamentations 3 verses 22-23 we read the ever encouraging, Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh EACH morning.
Every one of these scriptures has been so encouraging to me that it has really lifted any burden I may have felt for what lies ahead in the coming days, weeks and months. As I now know and have experienced that when each day comes I will receive the strength that I need to be able to face whatever may come my way. I can simply ask and receive his "manna" for each day then I am able to rest, sit back and be filled with His wonderful peace.
One final scripture that cements what I've been learning and I hope may encourage others as well.
Matthew 6 verses 32-34 - Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs and he will give you all you need from DAY TO DAY if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.
So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.
Jo Fuller is an Early Childhood Teacher with degrees in Education and Journalism. Having just returned from living and travelling abroad for the past two years, she now resides in Brisbane with her husband and they are soon to welcome their first child, due in June 2014.
Jo Fuller's archive of articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/jo-fuller.html