A Day’s Portion Every Day

When God rained bread from heaven, he gave a simple instruction: collect a day’s portion every day.

As a planner, rather than a procrastinator, I find this command challenges my mindset. I prefer to work ahead. Writing before deadlines avoids last-minute pressure. Making and freezing meals prepares for unexpected guests or for a day when I do not feel like cooking. My well-stocked pantry eliminates last minute dashes to the grocery store.

Unfortunately, my plans to decrease stress highlight some of my shortcomings. The desire to control, selfishness, and inflexibility all spring to mind.

The heart of God’s command to “collect a day’s portion every day” cries: obey today and trust for tomorrow.

Now, I realize that God no longer sends daily manna. That miracle belonged to a specific people during a specific period in history. But Jesus called himself the bread of life (John 6) and said that his followers would feed on him.

So, this Old Testament lesson teaches me.

Daily, I must come to Jesus and his Word to find nourishment for the day. I cannot stockpile communion with God. A double serving on Sunday will not feed me through the week. Instead, I must sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to his voice every day.

When we obey and trust, we discover, like the Israelites, that we have enough. “They gathered, some more, some less. But when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack” (Exodus 16:17-18).

Dear Jesus, give me yourself – living bread – to sustain me. You promise to provide for me each day; teach me to come to you every day.

Throughout This Day: Thank Jesus for providing everything you need for life today. Remember he gives you the power to obey whenever you surrender to his will. Trust in God's Spirit to provide for you tomorrow. Ask him to transform your worry about the future into confidence in him.