Winter frost sparkles on our lawn like diamonds and reminds me of God’s provision. The higher the sun rises, the more reflections shine from the tiny ice crystals on the tips of the grass blades.
Bread from Heaven
This morning when I looked at the frost from the kitchen window, I thought of the manna I’d recently read about in chapter 16 of Exodus. God had promised Moses He would “rain bread from heaven” for the Israelites who were traveling through the wilderness after God had delivered them from enslavement in Egypt (v. 4) *.
As Moses witnessed, after the dew had evaporated each morning in the desert, “there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as frost on the ground” (v. 14). The Bible compares the manna to frost, so maybe it sparkled in the sunlight.
When the Israelites saw the white flakes, they said, “manna” (v. 15) which means “What is it?” They’d never seen this “bread from heaven” which was a new creation designed by God to feed His people.
For forty years, He sent the exact amount they needed for each day until they reached Canaan, the promised land (v. 35). Like the Israelites, we may not understand all our blessings, but our heavenly Father provides them.
God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:9
Reminders
The manna not only fed the Hebrew people, but it later served as a reminder of God’s provision. He instructed Moses to keep a jar of it in the ark of the covenant along with the stone tablets of commandments (v. 32).
Our Father knows we need reminders—to praise Him for blessings and trust Him in hard times when we don’t see or understand His provision.
Bill, one of our Sunday school teachers often says to the class, “Why are we here today? We are here to remember.” His lessons remind us of God’s promises and how He fulfills them.
Of His love and care for His children.
Of the mission He gives to each believer.
When I read the laws of the Old Testament, I wonder how the Hebrew people remembered all of God’s commands once the prophets conveyed them. They didn’t have the written Word and the Holy Spirit like we do, but they had manna and other provisions to remind them of His goodness.
Like the pillar of cloud guided the Israelites, the Bible guides us and reminds us of God’s faithfulness.
From Heavenly Bread to the Bread of Heaven
God no longer creates manna, the heavenly bread, but what blessings are ours as believers today.
We have the Bread of Life, the Lord Jesus Christ, living within us. He came to feed us Truth and to create a path to relationship with Him by grace—an exciting life of daily adventure.
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
John 1:17
Every winter morning, I peer through the blinds to look for frost. When the sun rises higher, I notice the sparkle and wonder what “manna” God has provided for me this day.
The frost reminds me to thank Him. What will happen on warmer days when there is no frost?
Will I remember His past blessings and thank Him for today’s? Will I complain as the Israelites did when they faced challenges, tired of the consistent diet, or doubted God’s love and faithfulness?
We don’t know what His blessings will be, and we may not see provision for every need right away, but as surely as manna dotted the desert landscape and as surely as frost forms on freezing days, we can trust our faithful God to provide for us.
We don’t know what His blessings will be, and we may not see provision for every need right away, but as surely as manna dotted the desert landscape and as surely as frost forms on freezing days, we can trust our faithful God to… Click To Tweet
When we pray each morning and seek the Bread of Life in the Word, we can remember and praise our God for blessings seen and unseen and for His constant love and care.
A Promise and a Praise to Brighten Your Day
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
*Verses are taken from the ESV Bible.
Your Turn to Share
How do you remember God’s blessings? What reminds you of His faithfulness? How does His faithfulness comfort you in hard times?
Here’s a link to my last post: Three Ways to Navigate Difficult Days
Jeannie, I LOVE this. You point us to our Provider. He provides in so many ways and we grow expectant and excited to see what He will do!
I love how the frost reminded you of manna! I’m also inspired by nature. On my walks, the Master Designer points me to His faithfulness through the perpetual sunrises, sunsets, ocean waves , trees & flowers putting out their beauty in spring every single year.
Thank you Jeannie ♥️
Like you, I enjoy walking outside and noticing the wonders of creation. I like your use of the word perpetual for describing the phenomenon of God’s world. We can apply that word to His care, also. Thanks so much for stopping by, Myra.
Thank you for mentioning the way expectancy occurs in our hearts when we see His provision. Life with Christ really is a daily adventure. I appreciate you reading and commenting.
Thank you Jeannie! Now when I see frost, I’ll think of manna and thank God for His goodness.
I think I will, too, June. God’s creation holds so many reminders of His love and provision. I appreciate your comments.
I love this line: “He came to feed us Truth and to create a path to relationship with Him by grace—an exciting life of daily adventure.” It is quite an adventure we have with God. I am thankful for the opportunity to write for Him because through it I get to remember all kinds of God moments and share them with others. Blessings, Jeannie!
Annie, thank you for highlighting a line from the post. When I notice His blessings in creation, I often marvel that He not only provides our basic needs but also our need for relationship with Him through Christ Jesus. I appreciate you adding to our conversation.
I love your analogy of the manna, Jeannie. The beautiful, sparkly frost does create that image of provision. As I read your post I could see the white flakes lying on the desert floor. God does give us a myriad of reminders of His glorious provision. Thanks for sharing this insightful post.
You’re right, Barbara, about the “myriad of reminders of His glorious provision.” The rain, trees, clouds, friendships in Christ–so many pictures of His blessings. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Jeannie, what a great post. I’ll never again look at frost the same way! God’s beautiful sparkly frost will remind me of the Israelites in the wilderness gathering their daily portion of manna. Maybe sparkly manna!
Like you, Evelyn, I don’t think I’ll ever look at it the same either. On cold mornings, I like to see if it’s there to enjoy the frosty beauty and to seal the connection with the manna in my mind. What a creative and powerful God we serve. I appreciate you stopping by so much.
Now, each time I see the frost, I will think of the manna and how God provides for us even today. Thank you for this beautiful imagery and message Jeannie
Yvonne, I hope I’ll think of His provision when I see frost, too. He blesses us with provision and then blesses us again by reminding us of His presence and His blessings. Happy noticing to you. Thank you so much for your comments.
I’m inspired to recognize God’s blessings most often when I’m outside in His creation. As you pointed out with the glistening frost on your yard, there’s amazing beauty in every season (I admit to looking forward to Spring when God really shows us the marvelous beauty of rebirth–flowers, trees, warm sunshine). He loves and cares for us during every season of life. Thank you for sharing this uplifting message to brighten this cloudy, rainy day.
Katherine, I’m glad to hear the post brightened your day. Spring is a beautiful season resplendent with the flowers you mentioned. We have to look a bit harder in the winter, but His blessings abound in every season, don’t they? I know you enjoy creation as much as I do.
A beautiful post about remembering God’s care! thank you, Jeannie!
Thank you, Kathy. God is gracious to provide blessings and then remind us they’re available.
What a wonderful reminder, Jeannie! And you painted such a beautiful word picture that I am imagining a frosty field and a manna-dotted landscape! Thanks for sharing such a beautiful post!
Thank you, Julie, for your encouraging comments. I love the reminders of God’s loving care and generous provisions we see in the world He created.
“We are here to remember.” Oh, what a wonderful truth that is Ms. Jeannie. Please thank Bill for us. I want to add, we are also here to testify. We should share all that God has done for us in the way that we live our lives, honoring His great blessings upon us. I sometimes think myself most ungrateful. I recognize that I deserve none of the blessings that God heaps upon me, but because He loves me, He gives the good gifts that I need. Too often, I don’t stop to recognize all that He gives. I don’t thank Him for being the grace-giving God that He is. Perhaps the best way we can say “Thank You Lord” is to live Him out in our lives. To do that, we must follow John the Baptist’s example and become less so that He might become more. Inspiring words this morning dear friend. Thank you, and my apologies for chiming in so late.
J. D. I appreciate your comments any time. Thank you for adding value to our conversation. Yes, I agree “we are here to testify” of our loving God and salvation through Christ our Lord. I also fail to praise and thank Him as I should. That’s why I’m grateful for reminders, like frost.
What a great post. I could see the sparkling manna on the desert sand. It must have been a lovely sight sometimes missed by the murmuring Israelites. But I too fail to see God’s provisions laid before me sparkling in the light of the son. Your analogy is inspiring. This has etched a word pictue in my mind to be remembered every time I see frost on the ground. Thank for sharing.
Lisa, how kind you are to encourage me with your words. They mean so much. I love your description of the manna and the frost. It’s easy to shake our heads at the murmuring of the Israelites and overlook our own complaints, isn’t it?. Like you, I appreciate word pictures to remind me to praise our great God who lovingly provides for us.