Originally published on April 21, 2020
Too little and too much
It seems like this season is characterized by having too little and too much at the same time. Some of us who live alone have too much spare time and too little interaction with others, while others with children have too little spare time and too much interaction. Some are aching for human contact while others just want a few feet of personal space. Those working on the front lines bear too much responsibility and those at home long to share in it. Some of us have too much uncertainty in the future while others wish for the possibility of change. Some of us have never spent more time with God while others are having to get creative just to fit it in. We are all experiencing too much and too little in different ways.
When the Israelites are in the desert on their way to the Promised Land, God provides them with food for their families each morning called ‘manna.’ Watching it fall from the sky each night, the Israelites would gather only enough to eat each day. It seems that they experience the same problem that we do. Some ambitious members with extra time on their hands gathered too much, while others who were perhaps weaker or busier with other tasks gathered too little.
“Some gathered much, some little. And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little. Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed” (Exodus 16:17b-18, NIV).
I love this verse! No matter how much too much or too little anyone had, what God provided was exactly enough for what they needed for the day. Their needs being met were not connected to their effort, but to God’s provision. Whatever it is that you find yourself lacking in this season, God can provide it. Just enough patience. Just enough peace. Just enough companionship. Just enough hope. Just enough forgiveness and grace to make it through one more day. And only one day at a time. Thankfully we don’t have to try hard to earn and receive His faithful mercies, which are new every morning (Lam. 3:23). A simple cry out to Him will do, “and my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Philippians 4:19-20, NIV)
Whatever your circumstances, whatever your too much and too little are, may God give you just enough of what you lack and ease the burden of the excess to make it to tomorrow. He alone truly is our daily bread of life.
Erin Greneaux
