Read: Exodus 16:28-29 (NIV)
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘How long will you refuse to keep my commands and my instructions? Bear in mind that the Lord has given you the Sabbath; that is why on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Everyone is to stay where they are on the seventh day; no one is to go out.'”
Think about the Israelites in the desert. Every day, they had to go out and gather manna, the bread from heaven, to survive. It was a daily act of dependence on God. But then came the Sabbath. On the sixth day, God provided a double portion of manna. He gave them enough for two days so they wouldn’t have to work on the seventh.
This is a beautiful picture of God’s provision. He didn’t just tell them to rest; He made it possible for them to rest. When the people ignored the command and went out to look for manna on the Sabbath, they found none. This wasn’t punishment; it was a powerful lesson. The Lord had already provided. He was teaching them to trust in His provision, to stop striving, and to simply be present with Him.
The Sabbath is a sign of our covenant with God. It’s a tangible reminder that we don’t have to hustle to meet our needs. God is the one who provides. He wants us to lean on Him and trust that He will give us what we need, even if we take a day to completely rest in Him.
Pray: Lord, we thank you for your incredible provision. Forgive us for our lack of trust and for feeling like we have to do it all on our own. Help us to rest in your care, knowing that you will always provide for our needs. Amen.
