TITLE THE MANNA TEST
When you ponder the events of your life what comes to mind.
For me it’s those powerful moments
Those times when I was struggling
Those times when I had lost someone I love
Or was going through a financial crisis
Or was learning an important lesson about relationships
For me these climactic events, usually short lived, stand in my mind as my greatest struggles. / greatest victories
Most are moments I would never want to repeat.
Some I would like to do all over again, but most importantly, they were times when I really learned something substantial about myself and my relationship to God and man.
I am sure that you have experienced these kinds of tests?
James 1:2
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
1 Cor. 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man
They are a normal part of our lives --- everyone goes through them
They have an important purpose also………..
1 Peter 1:7
These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
God’s tests are intended to strengthen us and bring glory to Him!
I have listened to a lot of testimonies in my time and some of my favorite were when the focal point was the sharing of God’s provision and grace during a difficult trial.
I will never forget Brother Mariano…
The insurance claim….
As I prepared this message I knew that God wanted me to share about life’s trials,
but I kept thinking about those monumental events others had experienced.
I kept saying “Lord I can’t do a good job in presenting this message because I don’t have a great testimony like these individuals.”
And I told him
Honestly, I really don’t want to go through the tragedies that these folks went through
Then in my devotions the lord led me to THE truth that I need to share with you
The trials of life that come like a flash
That stand as major events in our lives
Are not the most important trials that we will face.
The most important trials we will face
Are the relentless, persistent, continual tests of mere day to day living
The ones that consume most of our lives
That happen every day
These are the ones that accomplish the most in our lives
And thus we come to the Manna Test
Exodus 16:4
Then the Lord said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.
Manna
Manna was to the wondering Hebrews as Rice is to Chinese or potatoes to the Americans.
Except of course that’s all they had to eat
The word Manna means literally “What is it?”
Psalm 78:24-25 – helps define manna better---
he rained down manna for the people to eat,
he gave them the grain of heaven.
[25] Men ate the bread of angels;
he sent them all the food they could eat.
When the Hebrews came to eat they did not ask, “what’s for supper?” They asked, “how’d you fix it?”
Since it was all they had
They boiled it,
baked it,
broiled it,
barbecued it, and breaded it.
They ate it cold,
hot,
raw,
cooked,
slices for sandwiches,
and even baked into pies.
Exodus 16:35
The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan.
For forty years they ate it and all their days it was a test
For God said “In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. “
God custom designed their diet to be a day after day week after week test of their obedience, their patience, and perseverance.
You and I have never and will never see this miracle manna in our life time but
To Each saint God dispenses his manna test
The Manna test comes through those daily circumstances that make us grow deep and strong.
I would like to focus on some of the normal circumstances of our lives
Because we need to remember that through them we are right where Jesus wants us to be
For example
• you wake up in the morning and there is no hot water
• So you decide to make some coffee and the coffees all gone
• You decide to have that delicious apple juice you have hidden in the refrigerator and one of the family got to it first.
• You decide to have some cereal instead…There’s plenty of cereal, but no milk…..
• You discover that the toothpaste has all been used up, BY THE KIDS, to paint a mural.
• You go to put on your shoes and they are filled with small, painful, blocks
• Oh well
• Its off to work
• To the same thing day after day
• But you like your job
• Except that today your boss requires you to work late and he doesn’t want to pay you
• Your co-worker doesn’t have to –its not fair
• You smash your thumb –remember you’re a Christian!!!!
• Then a friend comes by to tell you some juicy gossip And you remember you’re a Christian…….Will you listen.?
• Finally its time to go home.
• Rest
• But your kids need your attention
• Help with their homework
• They want you to play with them
• Your spouse wants you to finish that project you started
• Your family wants you to come for a visit
• You know you need to finish figuring out the family budget
• And be a good steward
• OH man and no one ever got any milk for the cookies you wanted to eat
• Finally the end of the day
• You decide to watch your favorite TV program___________________
• But the cable channel is temporarily out of service
• You decide to just go to bed
• Look Junior left a little present for you on the sheets.
• You get it cleaned up
• Settle down to sleep
• The phone rings --you get the picture
Every day is a trial
Some people’s trials are more complicated then other peoples.
Our responsibilities very
But for each of us the test is there
For me – I can identify far better with the daily trials of life then the huge trials that come once in a while in our lives
The thing we need to remember is that these seemingly insignificant events Are a test of our faith
Don’t be mistaken and believe the little things don’t matter
They do
The MANNA TEST
IS a cumulative experience of trials where our obedience, patience, and perseverance are molded and tested
For God’s Glory
____________________________
How are you bearing up under the day-to-day pressures of life?
The Hebrew children failed in their test
But you do not have to fail.
God has set you up for success
In what ever you face He has provided a way out so that you can stand up under it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And
God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
How are you bearing up under the day-to-day pressures of life?
I want to open the alter this morning to all those who want to pray for God’s strength…..to make it through the trials of life…and come forth shining as Gold.
