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… Share on X
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.