When the dew fell on the camp at night, the manna would fall with it. (Numbers 11:9)
One night, while I was praying for our Marine Corps son on deployment to Iraq, I came across this verse about Manna. When I dug more deeply into the verse, looking for the definition of Manna, it became abundantly clear that God was speaking to me about the burdens I was carrying with a son at war.
First–in case you had forgotten or didn’t know–in ancient Hebrew, Manna means what is it.
I found it comforting to know that the Israelites didn’t have a clue what it was, because, truthfully, I found myself hard-pressed to recognize God’s provision in the middle of a stressful deployment situation.
So often when we have someone we love serving, it can feel like God–and the rest of the world–has passed us by.
The things we’re fighting, from errant emotions to scheduling conflicts to an unending waiting game, appear to come at us from all directions, all at once.
I can remember praying for help and relief in these situations, feeling like God had forgotten me, but when I got through to the other side, where I could once again breathe.
The things God had put into place to help me cope had come exactly when and how I’d needed them. He had already put in place everything I needed to alleviate my worries.
So here are the three things I’ve learned about God’s provision during our son’s time in the military. They’ve stood me in good stead since.
1. God’s provision often appears quietly, with little or no fanfare.
2. God’s provision can find us where ever we are–from safe at home to lost in the wilderness.
3. God’s provision is exactly what we need, when we need it.
Are you worried and stressed? Don’t despair, God has already put the things in place that you'll need.
