And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year  (Joshua 5:12 KJV)

God provided manna, the supernatural food from heaven, to the Israelites for forty years in the wilderness. However, this provision stopped when the Israelites entered the promised land; underneath this story is a profound revelation of God’s plans of provision for the needs of His people.

Could you imagine getting up every day and finding food God has supernaturally provided for forty years in a desert? That was the experience of the Israelites—a genuinely astonishing miracle every single day. But as soon as they entered the promised land, the land flowing with milk and honey, and had eaten the corn of that land, the manna ceased as abruptly as it had started.

God’s unspoken message to the Israelites was simple and straightforward: manna was not needed in the promised land. It was a temporary measure while waiting for God’s best for them at the time. 

So the story of manna reveals two ways God provides for His people’s physical needs—miracles and blessing. While manna was a supernatural provision, the fruit of the land was the result of the blessing. So while God can use supernatural means to give us money to solve urgent needs, His best is for us to see His blessing show up in the works of our hands. The same is true about our health or even protection.

In summary, God is there with miracles to meet our urgent needs but has the fruits of our promised land to enjoy His best when we become full-grown sons and daughters.

Can God still provide for our needs supernaturally, as He did in the Old Testament?

Apply the Word

God has hidden the best part of the Christian life behind our spiritual maturity. As babies, we will continue to need miracles here and there in multiple crisis moments to solve our problems. As mature ones, we partake and enjoy the fruit of the land. Keep growing in the faith and pressing towards Christlikeness.

Ask the Father to help us grow the fullness of His Son. 

Read & Watch

What Did Manna Really Represent?

From Manna to the fruit of the land

Divine financial prosperity: embracing God’s complete plan

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