In Exodus 16:4, God instructed the people of Israel regarding the gathering of the manna that would feed them during their wilderness journey: “The people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction.” God did not give the people a week, or a month, or a year’s worth of manna in advance, but each day, the food they would need for that day. And He specifically said that this was to “test” them. It was a test of their faith and obedience.

This Exodus experience has meant much to me the past few weeks, as I have faced resigning a full time pastorate due to health issues. At first the thought of what was happening to me, all the issues involved, and hurdles we faced, seemed insurmountable and overwhelming.

But the Lord reminded me of Matthew 6:34, “Let tomorrow care for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own.” I did not have to accomplish in any given day, each and every task that would face me this coming year. All I needed to do each day was what was necessary for that particular day — the proverbial “one day at a time.” The Lord used that to give me a peace in the storm of these last months. And then it was in His providence that during the last weeks of my pastorate I would read about the Exodus and God’s provision of the manna. It was a good reminder that God would do the same thing for me: He would provide “a day’s portion every day.” And God has been faithful. Each day, without fail, we have seen another providence from His hand; another answered prayer; another “manna from heaven.” Although I would never have chosen to undergo this trial, it has been a privilege to watch God provide for us just as He did for His Hebrew children. And He will do the same thing for you, as you commit yourself to Him. Don’t worry about tomorrow; do what you need to do today, and trust Him for “A day’s portion every day.”