Bread In The Wilderness

Bread In The Wilderness

By Robert A. Searles

      After the children of Israel had left Egypt under the leadership of Moses, they wandered in the wilderness for forty years because of their unbelief and disobedience, whereas, if they had believed and obeyed God, they could have immediately inherited the promised land. Nevertheless, God in his compassion and mercy provided for their needs in the wilderness. He fed them by sending down manna from heaven, and they were told to gather a certain portion for themselves for each and every day. It could not be hoarded nor stored up. If they tried to store up so they would not have to gather every day, they would find it spoiled and stinking.

      Likewise, God in his grace and compassion, has provided for us, manna, as it were, while we are wandering about in the wilderness of this world from the cradle to the grave. The lord Jesus Christ is the heavenly bread which has been sent down from heaven to be our food and nourishment for each and every day. We are told if we will meet with him before the day begins, and eat his flesh and drink his blood by praying and meditation on his word, that we will have the nourishment we need to see us through the day. Abiding in him gives us eternal everlasting life. The more we gaze upon him, the more we become like him. Look upon his holiness, his kindness, his confidence in God the Father. Look upon his willingness to have the Father's will accomplished in his life. Look upon his power in heaven and earth, look upon his health. Look upon him as our source, our beginning. God's storehouse is brimming over with all that we will ever have need of, and he invites us to come and gather all that we want or need today.

      “Then said they unto him, what shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. They said, therefore unto him, what sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? What dost thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, he gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven and giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” John 6: 28-35 (KJV)