AN OMER FOR TODAY

He speaks to us in a language we know.  He is so faithful.  He’s not a far off, in some lofty place speaking in a refined manner that we cannot grasp.  Because He wants to engage us, He speaks to us in a way we can recognise.

He’s not after perfection, He’s after progress.

Every step of the way He speaks in a sympathetic tone.  He sets before us governances in bite-sized pieces.  Just enough for now.  For this moment.  For today.  For the next step.  We hear, understand and choose.

Everyday contains within it just enough revelation to satisfy for that time.  Revelation that sustains, nourishes and encourages. 

When they fled Egypt they fled with nothing.  Empty handed.  Empty bellied.  Nothing but the clothes on their backs and their loved ones.  In the wilderness with no means.

They fled a system contrary to His system; contrary to the ways of their ancient forefathers.  Under Egyptian rule for so long they forgot many of their roots.  They spoke, worked and lived the Egyptian way.

He still loved them.
He rescued them.

Like being reunited with an estranged relative from another far away place, they were suddenly together.  When they were in His care, fully dependant on Him for every day, He spoke to them, provided for them and dwelt among them. 

Manna.
Bread from Heaven.
Tasting heavenly.
Literally falling from above.

“What is it?” they asked. 
And that is what they called it. 

Manna by definition means,
“what is it?”

“What is it?” we still ask.
And there it is, just enough for us to consume today.  Just enough revelation for us to fathom right now.  He is so good.

Consuming manna is about daily revelation.

Everything you need you already have

The conversation between you and God might go something like this:

“God, what is it?”
“My career?  My family?  My health?  My finance?  What is this God?”

To which He’ll say,

“It’s what you need for today”

“Allow it to fill you”
“Do you trust me?”
“Will you allow today's revelation to nourish you?”
“Don’t worry about tomorrow.”
“Be fully present right now”

“Take this daily bread.”

 

You cannot just bide your time; because that is an ingrate, faithless type of waiting out for tomorrow.  

You must be fully engaged with today’s Manna. 

He’s feeding you right now.  The daily unknown, revealed to us in bite sized pieces.  He speaks to us right now, in our every now.  He’s faithful that way.

What are you pining for in tomorrow that is robbing you of fully experiencing today?
What is waiting for you right now in this moment?  Will you allow it to nourish you?
How can you be more present, more diligent with your right now?

“Gather enough Manna for today and just today. An omer for each person.”

I wondered what ‘an omer’ was.

3.64 Litres
1/10 Ephah – a common ancient Israeli measurement

An omer was very difficult to measure according rest of the ancient Israelite measuring system, but consistent with the Egyptian decimalised system.

This God, whose culture was established with the Israelites, sympathised with a group of people who’d lost their identity to the Egyptian way.  They were Israelites by blood, but Egyptian by function.  We can be the same.  Divine by bloodline.  Worldly by function.  Until he delivers us.

He was ok with that.  He communicated with them in a way they could understand.

God will speak into your today using a language you know.

They didn’t understand the Israeli Ephah measurement, but they understood the omer; so an omer it was.

As he led them away from their false identity, toward the truth of Canaan and Promise He spoke to them in loving compassionate terms. 

All this would stop at Canaan like it will for us – when our Promise is realised and we’re fully seasoned, ready for the inheritance.  The language and culture of Heaven is the only way in that place.

But until such a time as we are ready, He will always speak in a way that we understand now.

He’ll speak to us in today, and move us through a process of revelation and transformation into the culture of His Kingdom.

But we must hear correctly. 
Hear the Good News.  It’s always GOOD NEWS.

If your faith is waning I will guarantee you’ve either misheard, or the news you’re listening to is not the Good News of Jesus Christ.

It’s always good
It’s always YES AND AMEN
It’s your right standing with Him
It’s His grace
It’s His riches for your rags
It’s His prognosis over Earth’s diagnosis

IT’S ALWAYS GOOD NEWS!

When you’re anchored in that Good News you have faith.
When you have faith, you can be fully present in today.

What have you heard?
Do you trust the inner voice of the Spirit to your situation?
Have you heard the God-whisper over your circumstance?  Have you heard personally, directly?

Can you find a quiet place this week to just listen for His voice?

So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.  
Romans 10:17 (NLT)

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  
Matthew 6:31-34 (NIV)