“Pennies from Heaven,” a popular song in the 1930s, describes the gratitude of sunshine and flowers following rain.
In the Old Testament, the Israelites had different rain and pennies: manna. After God parted the Red Sea and delivered the Israelites from Egypt, He fed them in an unusual way through heaven-sent food, an unfamiliar small round seed. His provision included trust for the unfamiliar as well as gathering only what they needed for one day and twice what they needed for the Sabbath. When the Israelites saw it, they were puzzled and asked what it was. The translation of their question is “manna.”
We don’t have pennies or manna falling from heaven today, but God does send provision in our storms. In grief, we receive comfort through His Word and from people who come alongside us. God sends grace as we plough through rough spots and think we can’t take one more step. During difficult financial times, He provides for our needs, not necessarily our wants. When we have doubts and questions, He gives wisdom if we ask. If we are anxious, He reminds us to pray, and God’s peace guards our hearts and minds. Like the Israelites who gathered twice as much on the sixth day, we can trust God to provide our heaven-sent food.
If you need comfort, wisdom, peace, or a specific need met, look to heaven for the small round seed of His personally designed manna. When you do, you will see sunshine and flowers after the rain because you have seen His hand in your life at just the right time.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
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Marilyn Nutter loves finding treasures in unexpected places: gratitude in mulch, conversations with grandchildren, and secrets in an old trunk. Most of all, she has found the treasure of hope in loss. Unexpectedly widowed after forty-two years of marriage, she has found a brilliant treasure in Lamentations 3:22-23. After a career as a speech-language pathologist, Marilyn pursued writing and is the author of devotional books and a contributor to print, online publications, and compilations. She is co-author of the award-winning Destination Hope: A Travel Companion When Life Falls Apart. Her book Hope for Widows: Reflections on Mourning, Living, and Change will be released in 2024. She serves as a facilitator for Grief Support for Spouses and on the women’s ministry team at her church. Her blog encourages others toward hopeful living by weaving hope and purpose in their ordinary and challenging days.