Joshua 5:6-12 & 1 Kings 17:14 (NIV)
In this story, the Israelites have finally crossed over into their promised land. According to Joshua 5:10-12 “On the evening of the 14th day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover. The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate of the produce of Canaan.”
For 40 years in the desert, the Lord had miraculously provided bread and meat for these people – manna was available nearly every morning and birds flew into their camp to provide them meat. Their clothes and shoes never wore out. The cloud that led them, also covered them which kept them from burning and dehydrating in the sun and heat. The fire by night kept them warm. Water flowed from rocks.
They were virtually helpless and in great need; but, the Lord provided. However, when they crossed into the promised land and had food and all they needed to care for themselves, those specific miraculous provisions stopped.
How many of us today, when we fall into a time of helplessness or great need – spiritually, emotionally or physically – fall back into the loving arms of Jesus and fully depend on Him? I hope that we all do – that is as it should be.
But then, how many of us build such a dependence on Him that when that need has been met, we still want Him to keep providing in that same area? For example, you lose your job and your financial needs build up. Miraculously God provides for those needs. After a period of time you get a new job earning enough money to meet your own financial needs again. Should we expect God to keep pouring out blessings in that area of our life? What I am talking about are blessings that are over and beyond in a specific area that come about in an unexpected way. I do not think we should have that continued expectation. I believe that as believers, especially if we are givers and tithers, God will bless us all the time. 1 Kings 17:14 says: “The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord gives rain on the land.” He is there to meet our needs as long as we need Him. We should receive God’s blessings joyfully and thankfully in our times of special need. But then “the day after” we should work diligently and be fully satisfied when we are able to survive on our own.
When we are in need and God provides help, we should think of it only as a hand-up. Too many in our society today (and I’m sure it has been this way for all time) desire a hand-out rather than a hand-up. We should not and cannot become dependent on anyone (including God) to help us do and have things we can do for ourselves. We should pray and strive to reach “The Day After” as quickly as possible and move on with our lives in joy and thankfulness.
Written by Karran Martin – September 30, 2018/Revised February 20, 2026
[All bold emphasis is mine}
Karran's Korner 