"God Will Provide" by Dr. Kenneth Sullivan Jr. (10/19/2025)

Title: "God Will Deliver: Trusting in Divine Provision"

In the journey of faith, we often find ourselves in wilderness moments - times when resources seem scarce, and our path forward is unclear. It's during these seasons that we're challenged to remember God's faithfulness and trust in His provision. The story of the Israelites in Exodus 16 offers profound insights into how God meets our needs and builds our faith through times of scarcity.

After their dramatic exodus from Egypt, the Israelites found themselves wandering in the desert. Despite witnessing God's power in their deliverance, they began to doubt and complain about their circumstances. How quickly we forget God's past miracles when faced with present challenges! Yet even in their murmuring, God responded with compassion and miraculous provision.

The appearance of manna - a mysterious bread-like substance - demonstrated God's ability to provide sustenance in the most unlikely places. This "angel food" (as Psalm 78 describes it) appeared each morning like dew on the ground, offering daily nourishment for millions of people. The manna was versatile, able to be prepared in various ways to suit different tastes and needs. This miraculous food wasn't just about filling stomachs; it was a profound lesson in faith and dependence on God.

God's instruction regarding the manna reveals important spiritual principles:

1. Daily Dependence: The Israelites were to gather only what they needed for each day. This teaches us to trust God for our daily bread, both literally and spiritually. As Jesus taught in the Lord's Prayer, "Give us this day our daily bread." God wants us to look to Him as our source, not just occasionally, but continually.

2. Sufficiency over Surplus: God provided enough, but not excess. Those who gathered more than needed found it spoiled by the next day. This reminds us that God's provision is sufficient for our needs, even if it doesn't always match our wants. It challenges our tendency to hoard and trust in our own resources rather than in God's ongoing care.

3. Sabbath Rest: On the sixth day, the Israelites were to gather double, allowing them to rest and worship on the seventh day. This principle emphasizes the importance of setting aside time for spiritual renewal and trusting that God will provide for our needs even when we pause our labors.

The manna experience wasn't just about physical sustenance; it was a spiritual object lesson. Jesus later referred to Himself as the true "bread from heaven" (John 6), drawing a parallel between the manna and His own life-giving presence. Just as the Israelites needed to gather manna daily, we need to seek Christ's presence and nourishment for our souls each day.

In our modern context, we may not see literal bread falling from the sky, but God's provision manifests in countless ways. It might be an unexpected job opportunity, a timely encouragement from a friend, or the strength to persevere through a difficult season. The key is learning to recognize God's hand in our lives and trusting Him even when the path forward isn't clear.

This trust isn't always easy. Like the Israelites, we often find ourselves questioning, "Is God among us or not?" In those moments, we're called to remember God's track record of faithfulness. Just as the Ark of the Covenant contained a sample of manna as a reminder of God's provision, we need to keep a record of God's faithfulness in our lives. Journaling our experiences of God's provision can be a powerful tool for building faith and combating doubt in challenging times.

The story of the manna challenges us to shift our perspective from scarcity to sufficiency. Instead of anxiously trying to secure our own future, we're invited to trust in God's daily provision. This doesn't mean we shouldn't work or plan, but it does mean recognizing that ultimately, our security comes from God, not our own efforts or resources.

This truth is beautifully illustrated in the example of Chick-fil-A, a company that closes on Sundays to honor God, yet outperforms competitors who are open seven days a week. It's a modern-day reminder that when we honor God and trust in His provision, He can multiply our efforts beyond what seems logically possible.

The message of divine provision isn't just about material needs. It speaks to our deepest spiritual hunger as well. Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty" (John 6:35). In Him, we find not just sustenance for our physical lives, but nourishment for our souls.

As we navigate our own wilderness experiences, let's remember that God is not just a chain-breaker but also a way-maker. He doesn't just deliver us from difficult situations; He provides for us in the midst of them. Our job is not to chase after provision but to seek first His kingdom, trusting that everything else will be added unto us (Matthew 6:33).

In every season - whether of abundance or scarcity - we're called to keep our eyes fixed on God. He may not always provide surplus, but He always offers sufficiency. And in that sufficiency, we find the grace to face whatever challenges come our way.

So, the next time you find yourself in a desert place, wondering how your needs will be met, remember the manna. Remember that the God who fed millions in the wilderness is the same God who cares for you today. He is Jehovah Jireh - the Lord who provides. And just as He has done before, He will do again.

Let this truth sink deep into your heart: God will deliver. Whatever you lack, whatever you need, God, at the right time, will supply. Your job is to trust, to worship, and to keep moving forward in faith. For in every desert, there's manna waiting to be discovered, and in every challenge, there's an opportunity to witness God's miraculous provision.