Sukkot Remembrances, Day 3

Remembering God’s Provision

God instructs us at Sukkot to remember that He made the Israelites live in tents in the wilderness. Their wandering experience was more complicated than merely living in temporary housing as they traveled. The barren desert offered no food or water for them. They could not have survived it without God’s supernatural provision.

He supplied food out of nowhere with a fresh crop of manna each morning, giving the Children of Israel one day’s nourishment at a time. He provided water from dry rocks to quench their thirst and sustain their lives. He even prevented their clothing and shoes from wearing out despite decades of use. God met their essential needs for 40 years. In remembering this during Sukkot, we celebrate God’s provision for the Israelites of ancient days as well as the ways He takes care of us today.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness, through knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and virtue. ––2 Peter 1:3

Many graces of provision go nearly unnoticed in our lives because they are so consistently delivered. We consider many to be guaranteed givens – food, water and clothing among them. The temporary structures of Sukkot remind us what a gift these are. To stop and number our blessings of God’s provision beyond these quickly becomes a list so long we can’t keep track.

As you enjoy this Feast of Sukkot, take time to sit quietly before the Lord. Recount some of the essential gifts He has provided for you. Then, ponder other blessings from His hand that you recognize in your life. Take a few deep and slow breaths, and realize even more graces God has provided for you. And give Him your thanks.

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving. Let us shout joyfully to Him with songs. ––Psalm 95:2