Puddles

Does a puddle still elicit childhood memories of splashing in your rain boots? Small, seemingly insignificant items can trigger these and many other memories throughout our day. But how do we store all those memories and still take on all the new information we receive daily?

Our brains are like sophisticated filing systems, constantly storing, retrieving, and discarding information. We receive a tidal wave of new information daily – and a lot of insufficient data is included.  So, how do we process it? Where do we store it or get rid of it?

We must counteract it with good by intentionally replacing it with God’s Word.

In the Old Testament, we read that God provided manna from heaven each night with the dew to feed the Israelites in the wilderness. Manna is described as a white or pale-yellow gum resin that resembled a tiny coriander seed and tasted like honey wafers (Numbers 11:7; Ex. 16:31, NLT). It is labeled as bread from heaven (Ps. 105:40, ESV) and was ground and baked into cakes (Ex. 16:13-36).

Manna foreshadowed Christ, the authentic Bread from Heaven (Brand, 2015). Jesus assured the Jews that He, not the wilderness food, was the true Bread of Life from heaven that brings eternal life to those who eat it (John 6:30-58). Jesus Christ nourishes people spiritually and is the only satisfaction for our souls. The Word was with God (interpersonal relationship between Christ and God). The Word was God (Jesus is the same God who created the universe) (John 1:1). The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). Jesus speaks words of eternal life. The Holy Spirit works powerfully in and through the words that Jesus says (John 6:53). The Triune – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, three in one.

Like fabricated memories, our lies can become real if not discarded. They need to be replaced with God’s truth daily to give us spiritual food. It can become toxic and overwhelming if we don’t substitute lies for truth regularly. That is why it is so important to intentionally carve out time to spend in God’s Word, to seek Him above all else, and allow the Holy Spirit to awaken your spiritual life.

After proclaiming Himself as the Bread of Life, Jesus promises never to reject those who come to Him and trust Him for salvation (John 6:35-37). This is manna – food for our souls – a hope to cling to that replaces the magnitude of insufficient data we consume daily.

Cite:

Brand, Chad., ed. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, B & H Publishing, 2015.