You Don't Need the Whole Plan

Have you ever felt like you’re doing your best to follow God—but still ended up in a desert?

In today’s reading from Exodus 16, the Israelites are in that exact place. They’re hungry, tired, frustrated. And they start grumbling. Honestly… can you blame them?

They remember Egypt—not the slavery, but the bread. Isn’t that just like us? When life gets tough, we forget what God rescued us from and start craving comfort over freedom.

But even in their grumbling, God doesn’t scold them. He provides.

“I will now rain down bread from heaven for you.”
(Exodus 16:4)

He gives them manna in the morning and quail at night—just enough for each day. Not a feast, not a five-year plan. Just daily bread. Daily grace.

Daily presence.

That’s how He works.

We often ask God for the mountaintop miracle—“Just fix it all now.” But more often, He walks us through the valley instead of around it (Psalm 23). He doesn’t teleport us out. He joins us in it.

Because the real miracle isn’t just in the provision.
It’s in the presence.

God sees you. He knows what you need. And He is providing—even if it’s not the way you expected.

So today, if you’re in the middle of a desert season…

Take a breath.
Look around.
Ask: What is this?

You just might find that the very thing you’re walking through is the manna you’ve been praying for.

Stay faithful. He’s walking with you.

P.S. You don’t have to walk through the valley alone. Brotherhood matters. Reach out to a friend or check in with your local men’s group this week. Let’s keep each other going.