Sufficient For Today

Zo is a Marketing Lead, living in Birmingham

Exodus 16:4 (NLT) —

‘Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions.’

I’m someone who loves to dream and think about the days ahead - the future fascinates me and to be honest, I don’t find it easy to stay present in my mind. However recently, I have been reminded by the Lord to stay in the here and now. He’s been reminding me to not miss what he is doing in my life at this moment. I do believe there is space for dreaming of the days ahead and dwelling and reflecting on the past but ultimately we need to make our home in the present.

Today’s scripture comes from a beautiful story when the people of Israel were on a journey and were complaining that they had no comforts such as familiar food. Later in the story, the Lord made it rain bread from heaven daily and instructed them to collect enough for what they needed each day. Moses also instructs the Israelites to not store any of the food for leftovers and the ones who disobeyed the instructions experienced bad smells and maggots. 

What a reminder not to feast on yesterday’s bread and not to worry about what tomorrow will hold. Presence is perfect. I wonder how often in life we dwell in the past, holding on to the old when God has told us he is doing a new thing (Isaiah 43:19). God took care of his people each day; surely in our time we can rest knowing that he will provide for us today. We don’t need to hold onto the past and we don’t need to think ahead and worry about the future. Presence is perfect.

Reflect — Take some time to reflect on some areas in your life where you are not present. Ask the Lord to recalibrate your mind back to presence.