And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna. (Deuteronomy 8:3 ESV)
Fear Not… Then Expect Manna
Mr. Haan rejected my pleas to be given the leading role in our school play, “The Prodigious Snob.” He did not give me clear reasons why I was relegated to the minor set of multiple roles that year: The Dancing Master, a lackey, and a wild Arabian nomad.
But throughout that year… whether out of self-pity, awareness of my shortcomings, or hope… I practiced acting. I took small parts in other plays. I took big parts in short plays. And the next year, when the casting was announced for Pygmalion, I was given the part of Henry Higgins.
Looking back, I could not have received or performed that part if I had not first experienced disappointment.
The wandering Israelites were humbled and hungry. And in THAT context, God gave them manna.
It would not have tasted so good if they had not first been humbled and hungry. It would not have been received with such joy if they had not first been humbled and hungry. It would not have been memorable as a blessing if they had not first been humbled and hungry.
God’s blessings are usually preceded by troubles, messes, and fears. So when we are in the midst of those troubles, messes, and fears… look ahead and know what’s coming!
Fear not, then expect manna.