Manna

“The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate of the produce of Canaan.” Joshua 5:12
Manna was God’s miraculous provision given to the Israelites during the 40 years in the wilderness to sustain them. Initially it was met with disdain (the word ‘manna’ basically means ‘what is it?’ – as if presented with something undesirable, like a dog turd for instance) and later with frustration at its apparent monotony (see Num. 11:6). Yet God calls it the ‘bread of heaven’ and ‘angels’ food’ (Ps. 78:24-25).
When the Israelites entered the land of promise, God’s miraculous provision of manna stopped. It signalled a change in their walk. In a spiritual sense, the Israelites’ walk is akin to our own spiritual walk: leaving Egypt (the world), a time of wilderness, crossing the Jordan (baptism in the Spirit) into a land flowing with milk and honey (abundant Spirit-filled life). God’s desire is that the Spirit would have free reign in our lives. If we choke the Spirit, God will provide in other, miraculous ways, but inferior to us actually entering the land and eating the fruit that comes from dwelling there.
Are you in a spiritual wilderness today – you’ve left Egypt but haven’t yet entered Canaan?