Manna from Heaven

Matthew 6:8 "...For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him."

There have been so many unexpected expenses connected to this adoption but God has provided for each and every thing that has come up before we even knew that we needed it! This idea is called "Manna for Today" or "Manna from Heaven." Matthew 6 says that we are to pray for our daily bread and James 1:17 declares that "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." Our daily bread is both the spiritual "food" that we need for our souls and the physical "food" that we need for our bodies. If an earthly father, with his sinful nature, gives his children the things they need to meet their necessities how much more will our righteous Father in heaven do for those who love Him. The Lord delights in providing not only spiritually, but also materially for His children. Matthew 7:7-11 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil (having a sin nature), know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!"

When Jesus sent out His disciples as ambassadors for Him to do His work He specifically told them not to take any money or necessities with them. Matthew 10: 9-10 "Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food." Jesus wanted to build faith in them that if they are doing His work He will provide for the things that they needed. After all He is the master providing all the supplies His servants need in order to get His work done. It is generally not the servants responsibility to provide his own supplies but simply to be a good steward of what his Master has given him. You have to have faith to leave your home on an errand where you did not know where you were going, not taking any money or provisions with you, wondering how everything was going to work out. But when you know and trust Him, knowing He is a good and faithful Master, it will put so many doubts and fears to rest. "Perfect love casts out fear."

The Lord has called us to do His work in "setting the solitary in families." Just like Isaiah we heard the voice of the Lord calling, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Brian and I each responded, "Here am I! Send me." Like the disciples He called us at a time where we have no gold or silver in our money belts or supplies for the journey, but He is showing Himself faithful in providing for our every need.

Rachel