NOVEMBER 13: “THANKING GOD FOR MEETING YOUR NEEDS”

My grandfather was a great farmer. At that time in the village, he had about three big farms that I grew up to know. I remembered that anytime we went on holidays from Lagos to the village, it always coincided with either the period of planting or the period of harvest. At these times, my grandfather would hire contract people who would come to plant or harvest. Our house was always full of these people at these times and my grandmother was always tasked with the duty of providing morning food and evening food for them.

Due to their overwhelming number, she would to hire a woman to help cook for them. I remember that my grandmother would quarrel with her every time because of the amount of food she prepared for these people. She would prepare food far in excess of what the people could eat just because she wanted to carry the remnants to her house. She would always tell my grandmother that she prepared just enough.

A lot of us are like this woman, we are greedy when it comes to the blessings of God. We keep what should be given out to others to ourselves. We expect more than enough from God. We always complain that we do not have enough from God. At the end of a meal or the end of a month do we really believe that God has given us enough and are we grateful and thankful for it? When we pray that God should give us our daily bread, are we also having in mind tomorrow, despite the fact that Jesus said that we should not be anxious about what we will eat tomorrow?

The issue of the Israelites comes to mind at this time. In today’s passage, God blessed the Israelites with Manna enough for them to eat every day. Moses told them specifically that they should not gather more than enough for the day so that there would not be any left over until the next morning otherwise, it would spoil. Some of them still dared to collect more than enough for the day. Health experts say that a key to good nutrition is eating until we feel satisfied not until we are full. In every area of life, there is a difference between genuine hunger and a greedy appetite. Rather than thanking God for his providence, all we do is complain and always asking for more.

As the Lord supplies our needs every day, all we need to do is express our thanks by saying Father, thank you for giving me just the right amount.

PRAYER: Thank you Father for your boundless mercy and for providing for my needs according to your riches in glory by Christ Jesus, Amen.