When I had my wisdom teeth removed (gag), the surgery went well, but there were complications during my recovery. I’ll spare you the gory details. Suffice it to say, I had to eat the same bland, soft foods for about a month. Let me tell you: diversity of diet is a spiritual need.
Maybe that’s an exaggeration.
But…
I’m not the only one who finds my heart getting heavy when God’s provision is the same old ordinary stuff day after day.
When The Same-Old Grows Stale
Recently set free from slavery in Egypt, the Israelites were roaming the wilderness when they cried out to God for food. He graciously provided, dropping down manna from heaven. Just bits of bread tasting like coriander and honey, the manna was spread across the transient camp daily for 40 years (Exodus 16.)
Though the idea of bread raining down from heaven is extraordinary, the Israelites quickly grew bored with God’s unfailing but monotonous meal choice.
They always had enough.
But the people had enough of just enough.
Bored, they complained against the Lord. The people got sick of manna. It was bland, it was wearisome, and really- how long can anyone live with the same old same old?
What Does God Do When We Grumble about the Same Old?
Like the Israelites, we often ARE grateful the Lord always provides. But sometimes, we wish God’s provision was just a little more exciting.
Take note of God’s response to the Israelites when they felt much the same. He was faithful. That’s who He is.
“If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT.)
On top of faithfully providing the same old, same old, God also threw in a little flavor here and there.
Throughout the wilderness routine, God surprised the Israelites with quail and likely livestock…not falling from heaven, but from their battle victories.
At the end of those forty years, those manna-fed people crossed the Jordan and entered the Promised Land. They had homes of their own, freedom to live for His glory, and even gardens and pastures for raising all sorts of foods.
When they entered the Promised Land, the Israelites had forty years’ worth of reminders of His faithfulness shaping their appetites and palettes. The ordinary, too-familiar taste of His extraordinary provision lingered on their lips.
What a sweet treat -one we’re blessed by too.
Praise God, He Sustains Us
The excitement we yearn for has less to do with our present life and more to do with daily taking in what He provides. When we’re willing to believe it, our joy is found because:
His promises are true every day.
His provision, even when it seems monotonous, sustains us.
God is who He is- and that’s exciting, even day by (regular old) day.
Remaining fresh and delighted in faith is often fueled by ordinary ways of witnessing His extraordinary faithfulness.
[bctt tweet=”Remaining fresh and delighted in faith is often fueled by ordinary ways of witnessing His extraordinary faithfulness.” username=”PatHolbrook @BethanyMcIlrath”]
As you and I take our next big bites of ordinary, let’s chew on the bland in delighted faith. Our provision is from the perfect One. He’s providing us with tastes of His constant presence day by day, nourishing us to grow in Him along the way.
What’s one thing you’re grateful God is providing for you even though it’s plain?
{A version of this post was previously published here.}
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[bctt tweet=”LINKUP is open! This week, my friend @BethanyMcIlrath invites us to delight in every provision that comes from our faithful God… yes, even those that seem too ordinary and bland!Join us?” username=”PatHolbrook”]
These truths are so helpful, and I think they will be even more so in the days ahead when people get tired of the isolation and lack of usual outlets while this trying to lessen the impact of this virus.
I wrote this years ago, and I’m glad for the timing of this repost. Yes, I think being fed up with “just enough” and the ordinary is something we are prone to experience in this time of social distancing. Praise God His provision is good and plentiful!
I have a feeling we are coming into some days of manna and quail, and we need to brace ourselves for the spiritual discipline of NOT complaining about God’s good provision. Thanks for words to send our heart in the right direction.
I think you’re right, Michele! Glad we can remind each other of what’s good and true through linkups like these!
Very timely. May we be content with the manna He provides in these trying days we are living. Blessings!
Amen!! Blessings to you Joanne!
Patricia, as our world has been shaken by the threat of this virus, many will crave the ordinary days they took for granted. Reframing out thoughts and choosing gratitude is a discipline I need to practice daily. Thanks so much.
These are things I need everyday too, Debbie! Thanks and stay well!
Yes!! May I continue to have praise on my lips and praise Him even more!! His faithfulness is so precious to me as I know I’m not always as faithful as I should be! I am thankful for my bed, I don’t want to take for granted that I am blessed to escape homelessness! My husband has a heart for those that live on the streets and he loves talking and praying with them every chance he gets.
God bless you and your husband! Especially at this unique time, I feel so much for those who are currently homeless. Praise God for what seems ordinary to us- even a bed! He is faithful!
As soon as I saw this title I knew it was going to hurt. It’s a reminder I sorely need right now and I’ll be sharing on the socials so others can be reminded too. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing Lauren! I pray it was a “good hurt,” it has been for me too.
As I look in my pantry at available food, I could survive for quite awhile on what I have. But I might tend toward complaining too. 🙂 May God give us all a spirit of contentment for whatever comes!
Amen, Lisa!!
Definitely needed this message, Bethany! Feeling very confined and like my life is “bland!” 😉 But I will rejoice in all the blessings God’s giving me every day, knowing sometimes the best ones are hard to find.
Amen, Beth! I hope you feel less confined, though it can be hard with this social distancing!