Humbled

Deuteronomy 7-10

He humbled you by letting you hunger, then by feeding you with manna, with which neither you nor your ancestors were acquainted, in order to make you understand that one does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3 NRSV

How does one become humbled by hunger? A lack of food usually just puts me in a bad mood. Of course, I am also hungry all the time so I may not be the best person to answer this question. I am also far from being humble.

However, I don't think I have ever experienced true hunger - the hunger that comes from having nothing to eat and no means to procure any food. I have never been forced to eat shoe leather, insects, rodents or even manna. I can imagine that the feeling is close to both helplessness and despair. True hunger means that you are dependent upon circumstance to eat and will do anything to feed yourself.

God is saying that the people who hungered in the wilderness  and were fed by a substance they didn't even know existed became completely dependent upon God. They had to trust the God who gave the the words of promise and commandment would be there for them. They had to trust God's word before they were fed. Their dependence upon God was essential before their hunger would be satisfied. It wasn't up to them to be fed - by food or Word - but it was up to God.

On a scale of 1-10 - 1 being lowest, 10 being highest - how humble do you consider yourself to be? Anyone else out there need some hunger and some more dependence upon God for true humility?

God, you ask us to trust your Word first and trust that you will provide. Help us to be humble! In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims