Psalm 78:23-29 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 78:23-29 on biblegateway.com
Verse 23Yet he commanded the skies above, and opened the doors of heaven;
Verse 24he rained down on them manna to eat, and gave them the grain of heaven.
Verse 25Mortals ate of the bread of angels; he sent them food in abundance.
Verse 26He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens, and by his power he led out the south wind;
Verse 27he rained flesh upon them like dust, winged birds like the sand of the seas;
Verse 28he let them fall within their camp, all around their dwellings.
Verse 29And they ate and were well filled, for he gave them what they craved.
Devotion
My dad is a farmer, and it is a tough job. He is an agronomist who evaluates seed and herbicides. He is a meteorologist who watches the skies and the trends to determine when work can be done. He is a mechanic who fixes an unending list of broken trucks and combines. He is a manager who organizes a group of hard-working men. He is a stock broker who watches grain prices to get the best pay for his year’s work. All this work is just to provide food for the world.
The Psalmist reminds us that those things, which are so difficult for humans, are effortless for God. Making food, which for us is such a complicated task, is a snap of the fingers for God. In everything we do, we are constantly reminded of our dependence on God. Even my dad knows that ultimately it is God that grows the seed, brings the rain, and gives him the wisdom to put bread on the table. And those things are indeed great miracles!
Prayer
Lord, remind us of your power in all things big and small. Give us the grace to see them as gifts of your precious love. Amen.