The phrase “our daily bread” is likely an expression you have heard before. For some, it is reminiscent of the small devotional pamphlet often found in the foyer of some churches. The devotional was first published in 1956, the title of the devotional stems from the Lord’s prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13, and in the Gospel of Luke 11:2-4: “Give us this day our daily bread.”

“Daily bread” can be viewed from two perspectives: physical and spiritual bread.

The physical bread, although not providing all the nutrients that the physical body requires, does suffice to arrest the physical pangs of hunger. So physical bread is supplied to take care of the problem of hunger and it suffices in providing strength to carry on a physical existence.

On the spiritual side, it refers to the bread that satisfies and is sufficient for a life of godliness. One might say that there are “two sides” to this bread. On the one side is that aspect of bread supplied to take care of the problem of sin: Christ. On the other side: God’s Word, which is sufficient in providing daily strength to live and grow spiritually – our sanctification which leads to holiness. Jesus spoke of himself as being that bread: “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst’” (John 6:35).

We find both our salvation through Christ alone and our daily provision through the written words of God – the Bible, “our daily bread.” So, that being the case how should we interact with God’s Word as believers? In John 6, Jesus purposefully tethered his “Bread of Life” discourse to Exodus chapter 16, the story of God providing manna in the wilderness for the Children of Israel.

In Exodus 16:13-36, we find three aspects of the manna that we should ponder regarding God’s Word.

1. It was designed and provided by God.
   “Then the LORD said to Moses, Behold I am about to rain bread from heaven for you.” Exodus 16:4a

It was not a man-made product – it was God-made. God specifically designed the manna to physically sustain the Israelites on their journey through the wilderness.

God’s Word: provided by God, not a man-made product. Specifically designed by God to lead mankind to a saving knowledge of Christ and to spiritually sustain believers.

2.  The Israelites had to actively participate in God’s provision:
   “and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day.” Exodus 16:4b

All of Israel had access to the manna. But even though the manna was there at their “fingertips,” if they were to reap the benefits of this “Bread of Heaven” they had the daily responsibility of gathering it, grinding it, baking, or boiling it. The Israelites needed the strength of that bread to keep them physically healthy and strong.

As believers, we have the Word of God, “the bread of heaven” at our fingertips. It is readily available to us. Yet just as the Israelites, if we are to reap the benefits of such provision, we must be reading, meditating, and applying God’s Word daily.

As the Israelites needed that daily food to keep them physically healthy, so do we. As believers, we need to be in God’s Word daily to keep ourselves spiritually strong and growing.

3. God gave specific commands concerning the manna.

It was to be gathered daily before the sun melted it. There was a sense of urgency as well as diligence in this command. If they failed to make this a priority in their day, they had no bread. They were not to store it up. If they did it would spoil, in a most disgusting way, “bred worms and stank.” They were to trust God that He would provide more of what they needed tomorrow.
 
As believers, we too should think about when we “gather our manna.” Do we study God’s Word with urgency and diligence? Do we put God’s Word first before we get too busy into our day? Are we finding that we struggle with putting in the time and effort to gather, grind, bake or boil it? Do we mistakenly think, “since I interacted with God’s Word today, I’m good for tomorrow?”
 
We know that this was at minimum, an individual activity. Yet, a fourth aspect, which is merely speculation on my part, is that this might very well have been a family activity.
 
Moses directed Israel to pass down the commands they received from God to their children.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9
“These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.  And you shall repeat them diligently to your sons and speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk on the road, when you lie down, and when you get up.You shall also tie them as a sign to your hand, and they shall be as frontlets on your forehead. You shall also write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
 
This command from Deuteronomy played a key role in the nation’s physical and spiritual survival during the forty years in the wilderness. The case of the manna can be seen as a prime example of executing this command. Children would have learned from their parents when and how to gather, and prepare the manna, as well as who provided it and what their attitude toward it should be.
 
Is not this the same in the Christian life even today?

God’s Word – the Bible, is our present Bread from Heaven. God has provided it for His people. We have access to it like never before.

Are you gathering “manna?”

Are you teaching your children how to gather and how to use it to sustain them spiritually?