Some good friends invited my wife and I over for dinner this weekend. Smash burgers from the grill, roasted potatoes, a couple types of salad followed by ice cream, berries and home-made granola for dessert. A veritable feast.

Then the following morning I read a passage reminding me of God’s good hand in our feasting:

He rained down manna for the people to eat, he gave them the grain of heaven. Human beings ate the bread of angels; he sent them all the food they could eat.

Like manna enjoyed by the children of Israel, everything I eat comes from the hand of God. I produce minuscule amounts of my own food—a few late season tomatoes, blackberries and strawberries (fresh from the garden strawberries might be the fruit of angels). I depend on farmers and ranchers, dairy operations and fishing fleets for my sustanence. Other people pick, process and package every item for me. Like manna from heaven.

All the food I can eat characterizes my life far more than periods of hunger. In the midst of plenty it’s good to remember, and give thanks to, the One who originates the feasting I enjoy.

Psalm 78 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Eiliv Aceron