The Eighteenth of December.

THIS IS THE BREAD --- Exodus 16:15.

"And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat." --- Exodus 16:15.

This manna is entirely different to common manna, which is shook from the leaves of trees, and used only in medicine; this dropped down from the clouds, and was truly a miraculous production, as is evident from the following circumstances -- That it fell but six days in the week; that it fell in such prodigious quantity as sustained almost three millions of souls; that a double portion of it fell the day before the sabbath, and none on that day, etc. This manna is called "spiritual meat." 1 Corinthians 10:3; because it signified spiritual blessings in heavenly things.

Christ himself is the true manna, the bread of life, of which that was a figure, John 6:49 to 51. The word of God is manna too, by which our souls are nourished, Matthew 6:4. The comforts of the Spirit are also a "hidden manna," Revelations 2:17. These come down from heaven as the manna did; are the support and comfort of the Divine life in the soul, while we are in the wilderness of this world. The manna they gathered in the wilderness was not to be hoarded, but eaten; so they that have received Christ must live upon him daily by faith, and not think of laying up a stock to-day, to serve them tomorrow. They that did eat manna in the wilderness hungered again; whereas, they that feed on Christ, by faith, shall never hunger. "Lord, evermore give us this bread!"

Whilst in the wilderness I stray,
Thy manna, Lord, I need;
And fresh bestow it every day,
Or I shall faint indeed.

Devotion for December 18