In our modern world with fridges and freezers readily available in most homes, the value of daily shopping and fresh food is easily forgotten. There’s no doubt it’s convenient, practical and often cheaper to do a weekly or monthly shop and keep our freezers well stocked through batch cooking.
But this modern tendency cuts at the need for ‘daily bread’ and can leave us spiritually empty if we try to apply the principles of planning and hoarding to our Christian walk, because God has not designed us to live spiritually out of the deep freezer!
In the wilderness, God sent manna on a daily basis, giving double the amount only on the day before the Sabbath to allow the people the required day of rest commanded by Him. (Exodus 16:4-33) They found exactly the right amount required each day.
God provides for us, but the principle of daily manna meant the people had to learn to rely on God every day. There is no room for hoarding blessings or trying to stockpile God’s favours, for we would then forget the source of these blessings. Daily provision requires daily dependence – which is needed (funnily enough!) on a daily basis!
Following God means we can’t afford to miss out on daily communion with Him. We need to receive our daily bread, for we do not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from his mouth. (Matt 4:4) That may go against our modern tendencies, but the path to spiritual sustenance requires us to lean on God every single day. Many of our problems come because we try to deal with today’s emergencies by using previous blessings or help; what is needed is God’s grace today, God’s help today, God’s strength today. He has promised to supply all our needs (Phil 4:19), so enjoy the fresh bread that’s freely available, not the stale or frozen bread gathered previously.