Read: Exodus 16-18
Focus Verse: “Nevertheless, some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather it, but they found none. Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘How long will you refuse to keep my commands and my instructions? Bear in mind that the LORD has given you the Sabbath; that is why on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Everyone is to stay where they are on the seventh day; no one is to go out.” (Exodus 16:27-29).
Devotion: The Israelites lack consistency. They cry to God for help, then when God helps and answers they don’t really listen. No wonder they confused themselves into wandering for 40 years. Here we see that God instructs them to collect manna 6 days and rest for the 7th. The 6th day there will be enough to collect for 2 days worth of food to sustain them so they can rest on the 7th. Whether the people don’t trust the manna will last through the 7th day, or they didn’t want to rest, it doesn’t tell us their motivations. What we do see is that God tells them he will sustain them through the 7th day so no manna will be there to be collected on the Sabbath, but they go out looking for manna anyway. Why does it become so hard to rely on God? Why couldn’t they trust in the promise God made to them? In ALL things, we should trust and rely, but it sometimes feels impossible to just wait or let God be God and follow his instructions.
Pray: LORD, tell me what you want me to do, and please help me to follow and trust You in whatever you call me to. Amen!
Additional scripture: “The LORD is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid?