Can you pass this test?

I've failed many times.

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.’” — Exodus 16:4

I’m in a season of life where I continue to come back to the story of the Israelites in Exodus—specifically the story of God providing manna from heaven.

I could point out several important things in the story, but today I want to focus on one. It’s the idea that sometimes the provision God offers is also a test.

That’s the idea we see in the verse above. The Israelites were complaining about being in the desert after coming out of Egypt and having little food. They were even longing for captivity because at least as slaves they had full bellies. So God provided. But his provision came with stipulations. In short, they couldn’t take more than he said. He knew they would want to. Because we all want to.

Think about that for a second. God gives the Israelites just enough to satiate them, gives them instructions not to take more than that, and they do it anyway.

Sound like anyone you know?

That’s because we are the Israelites. We ask for God to provide, but as soon as he does we want more. We hoard it. And then the “more” is never enough.

In fact, if you go down to verse 17, you get this fascinating detail:

And the people of Israel did so. They gathered, some more, some less. But when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. Each of them gathered as much as he could eat.

Despite grabbing more than they should, they still “ran out.” I mean, come on! That’s incredible. And I think it’s incredible because how many of us have experienced God’s provision, hoarded it as soon as we experience it, and then turned around and wondered why it’s “running out”?

Guilty.

And perhaps the “running out” is really just God saying, “I’m making sure you don’t take more than you need.” Why would he do that? Because in the end it’s about turning to him. It’s always about turning to him. That’s the test.

When we have more than we need, we tend to ignore God. We write him off. We say, “thanks, I’lll take it from here.” We get complacent about going to him. We turn to the gift over the giver.

Friend, the provision you’re seeking from God will come. But don’t be shocked, don’t be angry, when that provision also comes with a test: Are you going to find your security in the provision, or are you going to find your security in the provider? That’s what God is asking.

How will you answer?

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash