Hidden Manna

Revelation 2:17 (NIV)
¹⁷  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it. 

I have read this line many times over in the past, but I never noticed the mention of hidden manna. Just what is hidden manna? We know that manna was the miraculous provision of food for the Israelite nation while they were wandering in the desert. Each day enough Heavenly sustenance fell to earth for the people to gather up and eat. Extra fell on the eve of the Sabbath was provided so they didn't have to labor that day.

But what is hidden manna? This "manna that has been hidden away in heaven" suggests the spiritual nourishment that the faithful believers will receive. As the Israelites traveled toward the Promised Land, God provided manna from heaven for their physical nourishment (Exodus 16:13-18). Jesus, as the bread of life (John 6:51), provides spiritual nourishment that satisfies our deepest hunger.
---Life Application Study Bible.

As Believers, we are recipients of this hidden manna, this spiritual nourishment. Jesus, the Bread of Life, fills us anytime we hunger. I am beginning to recognize the difference between physical hunger and spiritual hunger.  When I feel empty, it is often that God-sized hole we often hear about. That place that never seems to be satisfied no matter what we feed it. It is the void only a spiritual snack will fill.

Revelation 2:12-29

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Reproofing and Correction

The Sunday Scripture Reading for September remains the same: 

"All scripture is God -breathed, and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Consider the phrase

“He doesn't know what he doesn't know.”

I've used that line myself when referring to new employees at my workplace, I was responsible for mentoring. It takes a while for the fog to clear when people are put into new situations. Everyone else has an understanding of the common goal. Those who surround the newbie are in the know about the importance of the details that need to be addressed. While the rookie thinks he is working hard and doing what is expected, the others are picking up the slack.

As the numbers on the desk calendar are peeled away, his co-workers correct, redirect, explain, and allow mistakes in order to provide understanding and clarity. Through this process of correction, reproofing, experience, and guidance, the new guy settles into a place within the ranks because he now “gets it.”

Perhaps there was a business manual available to assist with understanding the common practices involved with the job. Maybe the new employee was referred to the internet to view a web cam or provided video training CD’s to get an overview of his role and responsibilities. Though valuable tools, the importance of the personal relationships accompanying those training opportunities cannot be overstated.

If we are true Christ followers, we are also spiritual mentors. We have a God given training manual at our fingertips we call the Bible; His Holy Word. We can provide this tool to others, but must also model, guide, correct, and reproof in order to bring our brothers and sisters to a place of understanding their responsibilities as Christians. To help them know what they don't know. 

2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction.”