Act of Mercy

In their hour of need towards the end of World War 11, when the people of Holland were starving, Operations Manna and Chowhound were launched. The British and other Allied Nations sent planes, under the radar, dropping food from the skies for the beleaguered population. The Dutch people looked on in joy and amazement when they realised that someone had come to their aid. God had not forgotten them. He sent help via the British, American and other nations. Many long-lasting friendships were formed that day.

The film footage of this was reminiscent of the Old Testament story of the Israelites, as they journeyed through the wilderness, having escaped their captors. They were hungry and God sent manna from heaven when the people cried to Moses. God said “I will rain down bread from heaven for you”. The needs of each person were met, no-one had too little or too much, and the manna only ceased on the day they entered the Promised Land.

Yet, this wonderful miracle was only a type or shadow of the true Living Bread that was yet to come. God sent manna for a nation, and the manna met their physical needs and sustained them for a time. But in the fullness of time God sent His Son, Jesus, for the life of the world that was starving spiritually. Jesus went on to expound this to His listeners in John Chapter 6, revealing to them who He was, and encouraging them not to set their hearts on bread which perishes, but on that which endures to everlasting life.

In every instance it was God who was the provider, whether He touched the hearts of the allies with compassion to help the starving Dutch people, or whether He provided miraculously for the Israelites, as befitting the situation and time.

Today, Christ the Living Bread, who came down from Heaven and gave His life for the world, is still available to all who need Him.

This wonderful act of mercy was in the heart of God when He provided for man ‘before the foundation of the world’. God had already put in place the remedy for man’s rescue and restoration long before any of us was born. The Living Bread is still feeding the world, and will continue to do so until the end of time, for God loves us with an everlasting love.

Prayer: Dear Lord, As You instructed us, help us to continually feed on the True and Living Bread that is eternal, and not to set our hearts on the temporal. Thank You for the wonder of Your eternal provision for mankind. In Jesus’ name, Amen.