Manna or Meat
God's love will bring transformation to your life as you learn to live with mindset of living for God rather than conforming to the current patterns of the world.
“Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the Lord...The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!...Tell the people: ‘Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow, when you will eat meat. The Lord heard you when you wailed, “If only we had meat to eat! We were better off in Egypt!...The Lord answered Moses, “Is the Lord’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you...I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!”
Numbers 11:1-2, 4, 6-7, 14, 18-20, 22-23, 29, 31-33
What if what you want is not what you need? It has been said that gratitude is the shortest lasting emotion. Look at how quickly the people who God was providing food from heaven turned their attention from what they had to what they did not have. Is this not the same marketing message that we receive every day from companies telling us that we need more? The pattern of this world is to focus on what you do not have, comparing your possessions and circumstances to others, and focusing on the immediate over the eternal.
Where have you allowed your mind or heart to drift to something that you do not have? Is there a higher raise, a better relationship, more possessions, a time when things are comfortable, or something else deep within your heart that you have learned from the world that would impact your today. How do these thoughts impact your heart? God wants to teach us to be humble, grateful, and faithful to the eternal life and abundant provision He gives promises us.
“Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.”
Psalms 128:1-2
David sings of the blessed and the blessing that comes from reverence and right living through obedience to the will of God. What is the difference between blessed and blessings? The people of God are get to experience the triple win of the provision needed for each day to meet our physical needs, the mind that has peace through the process, and the food that feeds your soul.
David says blessed because even more than what we physically receive, there is a transformation of the heart that allows us to appreciate the journey. The blessed is the person who is free in their heart and full of gratitude for what they have been given. This life gives God glory for both the quantity He provides for each person and the quality of the life of each person. Are you experience the blessedness of believing in Jesus and the blessings that come from following Him?
“As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly. Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them. Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.”
Proverbs 26:11-12, 20, 27
Wisdom tells us there is a way that seems right but leads to death. What cautions does Solomon tell us to avoid? He says tell the truth. If you keep repeating the same patterns that led to pain, you will experience more pain. Are there any patterns in your life that are unhealthy? Anything that your flesh is addicted to that is harmful to your spirit or your relationship with God?
Solomon warns us not to gossip. The Israelites in the camp were gossiping about what they did not have. How does gossip impact you? How do you feel when you have been around someone who gossips? How do you feel after you gossip? Our words have power and reveal the state of our hearts.
“You have been more unruly than the nations around you and have not followed my decrees or kept my laws. You have not even conformed to the standards of the nations around you."
Ezekiel 5:7-9, 16-17
Ezekiel calls the people to the carpet. He says that not only have you not followed God, but you are making choices that are worse than non-believers. Jesus said that we will be known to be His disciples by how we love others. There are non-believers who are kind and generous and there are people who say they are believers who are not. How can this be?
Truth says that we are influenced by the world around us and we should be aware that how we live says everything about what we believe.
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink...Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:1-3, 9-21
What would happen if you took this passage and turned it into a declaration? What would happen if you repeated this out loud each day before you went out to interact with others? What if you made this a first person statement?
I will not conform to the patterns of the world. I will test and approve God's will. I will be sincere and hold to what is good. I will be be devoted to others in love. I will have zeal for the Lord today. I will be joyful in hope, patient when it is hard, faithful to pray all day. I will share with others, practice hospitality, and bless those who are not kind to me. I will meet people where they are valuing empathy over having to get my way. I will live in harmony with humility and love all people.
Are you willing to make that commitment? This cannot be done in your own strength, but with God all things are possible. Those who are forgiven much, love much. If you focus on the joy of your salvation as received through Jesus Christ, your heart will naturally be transformed to doing His will in response to His great love for you. His love is the key.
Transformation happens as we change the way we think about who He is, who we are to Him, and how we can participate in bringing love to the world. The best way to start each day is with the simple phrase, Thank you Jesus for what you have done, Thank you Spirit for what you are doing, and Thank you Father for all that you will do. I want to eat manna from heaven, not meat for today. I want what feeds my soul more than what feeds my body. Blessed is the one who practices gratitude for all the blessings they have already received for they will experience the kingdom of Heaven now and forever more.