When Your Manna Tastes Bland

Last year, I had my wisdom teeth removed *gag.* The surgery went well, but there were complications during my recovery. I’ll spare you the gory details. Suffice it to say, I ate the same bland soft foods for about a month. Let me tell you: diversity of diet is a spiritual need.

Maybe that’s an exaggeration.

But I’m not the only one who finds my heart getting heavy when God’s provision is the same old ordinary stuff day after day.

Recently set free from slavery in Egypt, the Israelites were roaming the wilderness when they cried out to God for food. He graciously provided, dropping down manna from heaven.  Just bits of bread tasting like coriander and honey, the manna was spread across the transient camp daily for 40 years (Exodus 16.)

Though the idea of bread raining down from heaven is extraordinary, the Israelites quickly grew bored with God’s unfailing but monotonous meal choice.

They always had enough.

But the people had enough of just enough.

Bored, they complained against the Lord. The people got sick of manna. It was bland, it was wearisome, and really- how long can anyone live with the same old same old?

Like the Israelites, we are often grateful the Lord always provides. But sometimes we wish God’s provision was just a little more exciting.

Take note of God’s response to the Israelites when they felt much the same. He was faithful. That’s who He is.

If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT.)

Throughout the wilderness routine, God surprised the Israelites with quail and likely livestock from their battle victories.

At the end of those forty years, those manna-fed people crossed the Jordan and entered the Promised Land. They had homes of their own, freedom to live for His glory, and even gardens and pastures for raising all sorts of foods.

When entering the Promised Land, the Israelites also had forty years’ worth of reminders of His faithfulness. The ordinary, too-familiar taste of His extraordinary provision lingered on their lips.

What a sweet treat -one we’re blessed by too.

give-us-today-our-daily-bread

The excitement we yearn for has less to do with our present life and more to do with daily taking in what He provides. When we’re willing to believe it, our joy is found because:

His promises are true every day.

His provision, even when it seems monotonous, sustains us.

God is who He is- and that’s exciting, even day by (regular old) day.

Remaining fresh and delighted in faith often blossoms through ordinary ways of witnessing His extraordinary faithfulness.

As you and I take our next big bites of ordinary, let’s chew on the bland in delighted faith. Our provision is from the perfect One. He’s providing us with tastes of His constant presence day by day, nourishing us to grow in Him along the way.

This post may also be shared on: #MomentsofHope #TestimonyTuesday, #RaRaLinkup, #TellHisStory, #Thought-Provoking Thursday, #Heart Ecnouragement, #DanceWithJesus, #LLMLinkup, Faith-Filled Friday, Sitting Among Friends, and #SoulSurvivalLinkup.

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0 Replies to “When Your Manna Tastes Bland

  1. Bethany, I had my wisdom teeth taken out in my 40s and it’s sure not fun to do as an adult, is it? Love how this bland food diet served as an object lesson for a sweet truth from God. 🙂 Glad to be your linkup buddy today. ((grace upon grace))

    1. Ooof- you made it longer than I did!! Mine were coming in sideways by age 23 and had to come out before they successfully pushed the rest of my teeth out, haha! I was thankful for the object lesson too : ) Thanks for being my neighbor!

  2. Bethany, such an important reminder especially while in the middle of a diet and not feeling what I am able to eat 🙂 So yes (!!) a very timely word. What hit me as I read your words is this … it may seem “bland” at the time, but we will reap the reward later. May we take in exactly the Word the Lord serves us each day.

    1. Thank the Lord for His timing! Self-control about food is something I need a lot of help from the Lord in!! Thanks for culling out the point about reaping the reward later for receiving just what He serves today. Praying the Lord strengthens and encourages you in the diet : )

  3. I love your reminder of God’s faithfulness. I’m so glad that He doesn’t get bored with us – forgiving us, rescuing us, reminding us. Oh, to approach Him with that same zeal and gratitude and living to please Him first. Great thoughts, Bethany! Glad to be your neighbor at #tellhisstory.

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