Tag: #dewdropsofmanna

Rivers of Grace

Some moments are truly unforgettable, filling us with awe and wonder. From dazzling fireworks on Independence Day to thrilling rocket launches into space, these spectacular events inspire us with their sheer magnificence. In the Bible, we see many such events but one that stands out is: water gushing from a rock .

Numbers 20:8- Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.

Wonders in Wilderness
Exodus 17:6 – Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.

In Exodus Chapter 17, during the early stages of the Israelites’ journey, the people were thirsty and complained. Moses was instructed to strike a rock, and miraculously, water gushed forth from this dry rock in the hot desert. This remarkable event provided much-needed relief and sustenance to the thirsty travelers.

Different Generation, Same Aggravation
Later in their journey, after about 37 years, the Israelites encounter the second instance of water from a rock. Biblical scholars say that by this time most of the older generation has passed away, but the grumbling and complaining have persisted among the new generation. What one generation demonstrates, the next generation often adopts. Decades later, they are still lamenting the few pomegranates and figs they had in Egypt. An ungrateful heart can obscure our ability to appreciate God’s goodness and lead us to desire even the old, spoiled figs.

Mistakes, Miracle and Mighty Grace
Numbers 20: 10-11 And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank.

In a remarkable display of divine grace, God provided water from a rock despite Moses’ disobedience. Had this miracle not occurred, the people might have stoned Moses and abandoned their journey to the Promised Land.

Punishment for disobedience
Numbers 20:12- But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”

When God’s grace was evident to the people, He also disciplined his faithful servant Moses for a specific error. Surprisingly, this single mistake led to Moses missing the opportunity to enter the Promised Land. Let’s explore why God administered what might seem like a severe punishment for this one misstep.

  • Disobedience – Disobedience often led to immediate punishment in those days.
  • Distrust– Moses trusted in his own past experience than the power of God to do something new.
  • Distortion – By asking “must we bring water from the rock”, Moses claimed credit for the first water miracle.

Identity of the ROCK
1 Corinthians 10:4 – and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.

Paul clarifies that the rock Moses struck symbolized Jesus, as Old Testament events often foreshadow those in the New Testament. In the first instance. the striking of rock and water from the rock represented the hits Jesus endured during his crucifixion. In contrast, when Moses was instructed to speak to the rock, it symbolized the grace and love we can receive from Jesus by just asking Him. There’s no need to strike Him again, as the penalty for our sins has already been paid. Here a significant foreshadowing opportunity was missed.

Solace in Grace
We can find comfort and solace knowing that all is not lost for Moses. While it is true that he did not enter the Promised Land, we see him in the New Testament on the mount of transfiguration:

Luke 9:28–31 – Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray….And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

God in his infinite grace and mercy does not cast away his chosen ones for their mistakes.

Life Application
Today, the unwavering promises of God and His grace remain accessible to us. In times of desperation, disappointment, illness, worry, temptation, and even in moments of spiritual struggle, turn to the Rock. His streams of healing, comfort, grace, and mercy will overflow abundantly! When the enemy tries to convince you that there is no water in this desert and that death is inevitable, point to the Rock split on the cross of Calvary and proclaim victory in the name of Jesus. You too can discover solace and grace in your hour of need.

Spanish version: https://dewdropsofmanna.com/spanish-pages-list/rios-de-gracia/
Hindi version: https://tinyurl.com/y339uv2v

Fearless Fervent Faith

In our society we are constantly in a pursuit to remain young. From banishing gray hairs to erasing wrinkles with creams, everyone seems to be on a mission to look and feel young. But the Bible talks about one man who was not afraid to admit his age and was in fact stronger than most young men of his time: Caleb.

Joshua 14:10–12 – “… and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD said.” (NKJV)

Facts versus Faith
In Numbers 13, Moses sent twelve spies, including Joshua and Caleb, to scout Canaan. Ten returned with a discouraging report, fearing the giants there were unbeatable. However, Joshua and Caleb trusted God’s promise and believed they could conquer the land with His help.

Age-old Promises, Age-less God.
As Joshua prepares to allocate the land among the tribes of Israel, an 85-year-old man named Caleb makes a unique request. Caleb asks for the land of Hebron, which means “fellowship.” This area holds significance because it’s where Abraham once built an altar and received God’s promise of becoming a father of nations. Despite his age, Caleb holds onto God’s timeless promises and chooses to claim this land based on God’s enduring word.

Problems before Promises.
Caleb was fully aware of the challenges ahead, not blind to the giants still present in the land. While others saw these giants with fear, Caleb, trusting in God, believed differently. He knew that with God on their side, these giants were no match for His power.

U.S. soldiers with the Army Mountain Warfare Basic Mountaineering and Advanced Instructor courses climb Smugglers’ Notch in Cambridge, Vt., Feb. 20, 2014. This is the final tasking of the students prior to graduation the following day. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Sarah Mattison)

Promises Perfected, Prize Presented.
Joshua 14:13-15: Then Joshua blessed him, and he gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance. Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the Lord, the God of Israel.

Joshua presented this faithful warrior the land that he asked for. But the story would’ve had an incomplete ending if Caleb could not accomplish what he said he could.

Joshua 15:14-15: From Hebron Caleb drove out the three Anakites—Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai, the sons of Anak. From there he marched against the people living in Debir (formerly called Kiriath Sepher).

While the world around him would have chosen the safer lands, the greener territories, and perhaps a beach-front home, eighty-five year old Caleb and his family was determined to claim the best that God had for them.

Different Spirit, Different Results
God’s testimony about Caleb is seen in Numbers 14:24: But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it.

Here are some things we can learn from Caleb:

  • Confidence amongst negativity: In Numbers 13, Caleb bravely encouraged the Israelites, saying, “Let’s go and take the land because we can do it.” He stood apart from the fearful majority who doubted. Despite facing opposition, even threats of stoning from the entire congregation, Caleb remained steadfast in his belief.
  • Confidence in God’s promises: Joshua and Caleb firmly declared their trust in God, affirming that if the Lord delights in us, He will surely bring us into this promised land, a land abounding in blessings like flowing milk and honey.
  • Confident, long whole-hearted service: Despite losing all his friends and peers in the wilderness in the 40 year journey, Caleb remained committed to serving God wholeheartedly.

Life Application
In our daily lives, when it feels like God’s promises are taking longer to come to fruition, it’s important to keep trusting Him. Perhaps you’re encountering unforeseen health issues, disappointing exam results, or financial struggles. All these challenges can certainly feel overwhelming. Looking at Caleb’s life, we learn to see obstacles through the lens of faith. When doubts and worries arise, let’s stand firm on God’s Word and anchor ourselves on Jesus Christ, the unmovable Rock. Then we can confidently declare that if God promised us victory, nothing can overpower us.

Spanish version: https://dewdropsofmanna.com/spanish-pages-list/fe-ferviente-e-intrepida/

Hindi version: https://tinyurl.com/39pb24b9

His Cross, Our Crossover

Have you ever noticed how something meaningful can lose its impact through familiarity? Whether it’s a precious diamond necklace, a priceless work of art, or a historically significant object, frequent exposure to it can cause us to lose its value. In fact, the most important thing for all of humanity is often overlooked : the cross of Jesus Christ.

John 19:16-18: Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. Then they took Jesus and led Him away. And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha,  where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center.

Cross of Jesus
From the tiny cross necklaces to large replicas like Spain’s towering 500-foot monument, symbols of the cross are everywhere. Yet, the cross Jesus bore differed vastly from modern interpretations. Made of rough, unpolished wood, full of splinters, it inflicted excruciating pain. Historians debate over whether Jesus carried the whole cross or just the horizontal crossbeam, but it’s clear that whatever he carried was incredibly heavy. The horizontal beam alone weighed about 125 pounds (60 kilos), and the entire cross weighed over 300 pounds (135 kilos). For someone already beaten many times, navigating uphill with such a burden is a daunting task.

Calvary
Have you ever wondered where the term Calvary came from? In John 19:17, Jesus is depicted bearing his cross, heading to Golgotha, referred to as the place of a skull. The Latin word for skull is Calvaria. That is where the English word “Calvary” comes from.

Carried Our Cross
Wearing a crown of thorns and enduring a back torn by whips, Jesus bore the weight of the cross for us, as Isaiah 53 vividly portrays. Beyond the physical heaviness of the wooden cross, let’s consider the other burdens Jesus carried:

  • Weight of griefs and sorrows: Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. Prophet Isaiah, after portraying Jesus as familiar with suffering in the initial verses, goes on to emphasize that he carried our griefs and sorrows upon himself. This means he took our pain as his own. What a loving Savior!
  • Weight of transgressions and sins: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities.” Isaiah emphasizes that Jesus bore not his own sins, but ours. Driven by love, the sinless Son of God endured piercing and crushing on our behalf. His suffering becomes our salvation from sin.
  • Weight of infirmities and sickness: “the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed”. Jesus paid the price for our healing by being beaten and bruised. His broken body is our breakthrough. His piercings is our peace!

Canceled, Disarmed, Set Free
Colossians 2:16-17: He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

On the cross, Jesus set us free by cancelling every charge written against us, disarmed the powers of the devil, and set us free forever! When the enemy thought he won by nailing Jesus on the cross, it was in fact Jesus making a public spectacle of the enemy.

Life Application
In life’s battles, when guilt and condemnation try to weigh you down, remember the enemy is a liar, and he is a defeated foe. Romans 8:37 reminds us: “in all things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” When your heart is heavy and your hands are weighed down by problems, take solace in remembering His nail-pierced hands. When your head hurts with worries about the daunting obstacles ahead, remember the crown of thorns upon His head 1 Peter 5:7 reminds us: “Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.” So, take heart because His cross is our crossover, and through His blood we have victory forevermore.

  • Leaving A Legacy: Tribute to Hannah

    Abraham Lincoln, Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr.—names we remember not just for what they did, but for the legacy they left behind. For the most part, their lives were measured and honored after they were gone. But the Bible speaks of a man who evaluated his own life before the end came—Paul. Sitting…

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  • Powerful Pain Relief

    Products that promise to alleviate pain and discomfort are everywhere. From headache pills to post-surgery relief, hundreds of companies promise to make the pain vanish. In the Bible we see a woman who found pain relief without any of these products: Hannah. 1 Samuel 1:10-11 – She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord…

  • Tiny Coins, Timeless Impact

    Coin collection is a hobby that people have enjoyed for many centuries. Collectors spend hundreds of dollars in the process of acquiring the rarest, most unique coins. But did you know that there was a set of coins in an offering basket that caught heaven’s attention? Mark 12:42-44 – But a poor widow came and…

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    As February arrives, displays of love saturates our world, with heart-shaped displays and the fragrance of many roses. From sweet chocolates to dreamy trips, expressions of love are plentiful. What does true love look like, and how long does it last? Let’s explore: Jeremiah 31:3 – The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:…

  • Making Way For Miracles

    In our fast-paced world filled with technology like cars, smartphones, and computers, we all want everything to be quick. While exploring biblical miracles, it becomes apparent that not everything has an instant solution. Let’s look at one example of a man named Elijah and the steps he took that led to a miracle. 1 Kings…

Gethsemane- He Gets Us

Everyone loves beautiful gardens, and botanical gardens proudly welcome a staggering 4 million visitors each year. The sheer beauty and awe that these splendid creations evoke captivate our minds as we stroll through these landscapes. However, there’s one garden of profound importance, that surpasses them all in significance—the Garden of Gethsemane.

Mark 14:32-36 – And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”… and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.  And he said, Abba, Father, …Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Gethsemane: The Olive Oil Press
Hebrew word for Gethsemane is GatSh’manim. This comes from two words: gath, which means the press; shmanin, is the word for olives. Olive oil played a crucial role, from being used in everyday lampstands to serving in ceremonial cleansing by priests.

Farmers used sticks to knock olives from trees. The olive press involves two stones, one large atop and another beneath, effectively crushing the olives to extract oil. Alternatively, men could also press olives underfoot to obtain the desired olive oil.

This holds great significance as it symbolizes Jesus undergoing beating, crushing, and piercing for our redemption. Let’s look at some things that happened at this Garden.

Garden of Agony
Gethsemane was indeed a garden where Jesus went through deep agony. Here he was:

  • Pressed, Tempted, Surrendered. As Jesus prayed, his sweat resembled blood drops. Tempted like any other man, he implored the Father to spare him from the impending death, but submitted to the Father’s will. Mark Chapter 14 depicts this distressing moment as a moment when He was deeply troubled and He fell to the ground. Notice that the reason for this agony stemmed from the realization that, for the first time, He would be separated from the Father, and it was not an attempt to evade His mission.
  • Pressed and Punished. Equally important is the fact that the reason for his agony was that the cross was going to be the full unleashing of the wrath of God the Father, and the sin of the whole world was going to be laid upon the sinless Son of God. That includes our sins, and the sin of generations past, present and future.

Garden of Betrayal
Gethsemane showed the deepest betrayal. Jesus spent three and a half years with 12 disciples, loving and teaching them about God’s mysteries. But when He needed help, no one was there. Judas Iscariot betrayed Him, and even His trusted friends—Peter, James, and John—fell asleep instead of praying with Him.

Garden of Victory
Gethsemane is the garden where the journey to victory started. Here, the decision to obey the Father’s will, no matter the cost, was made. The completion of this process happens in another garden, the Garden Tomb, but Gethsemane marks the beginning of it all.

Life Application
As we go through the various seasons of life, let us remember what our Savior did for us. Unconditional love, sacrificial love, and love beyond measure was demonstrated in the garden of Gethsemane.

If you’ve been feeling hopeless, agonizing about what tomorrow will bring, remember that Jesus has experienced the same. Prophet Isaiah calls Jesus “a man of suffering, and familiar with pain” (Isaiah 53:3).

If you’ve ever felt betrayed by loved ones, know that you’re not alone—He has experienced it too. On the other hand, pause and consider if, inadvertently, you’ve betrayed the love of our Savior. It may not involve 30 pieces of silver, but perhaps it’s dedicating 30 hours a week to other priorities that overshadow your time with the Lord.

If you’ve been feeling unattractive, lonely, or ignored, remind yourself – He has been there as well! Prophet Isaiah says Jesus was “like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him…” (Isaiah 53:2).

Going through the pain of Gethsemane, Jesus tasted all these for us so that He can hold our hands and walk us into the garden of victory! So take heart, when the enemy tells you all is lost, point him to the Garden of Gethsemane and proclaim that victory was won! Gethsemane is where it all began.

  • Leaving A Legacy: Tribute to Hannah

    Abraham Lincoln, Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr.—names we remember not just for what they did, but for the legacy they left behind. For the most part, their lives were measured and honored after they were gone. But the Bible speaks of a man who evaluated his own life before the end came—Paul. Sitting…

  • Untie The Unqualified

    Picking the best airline or rental car is crucial for any travel venture. It is especially important when our trips involve impactful missions or crucial meetings. But on his most important journey, Jesus chose the a humble mode of transportion: a donkey. Mark 11:1-3: “And said to them, “Go into the village in front of…

  • Powerful Pain Relief

    Products that promise to alleviate pain and discomfort are everywhere. From headache pills to post-surgery relief, hundreds of companies promise to make the pain vanish. In the Bible we see a woman who found pain relief without any of these products: Hannah. 1 Samuel 1:10-11 – She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord…

  • Tiny Coins, Timeless Impact

    Coin collection is a hobby that people have enjoyed for many centuries. Collectors spend hundreds of dollars in the process of acquiring the rarest, most unique coins. But did you know that there was a set of coins in an offering basket that caught heaven’s attention? Mark 12:42-44 – But a poor widow came and…

  • You Are Loved!

    As February arrives, displays of love saturates our world, with heart-shaped displays and the fragrance of many roses. From sweet chocolates to dreamy trips, expressions of love are plentiful. What does true love look like, and how long does it last? Let’s explore: Jeremiah 31:3 – The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:…

  • Making Way For Miracles

    In our fast-paced world filled with technology like cars, smartphones, and computers, we all want everything to be quick. While exploring biblical miracles, it becomes apparent that not everything has an instant solution. Let’s look at one example of a man named Elijah and the steps he took that led to a miracle. 1 Kings…