Article January 21, 1928 Issue

"The spiritually indispensable"

FLORENCE DAVIS KELLER

THE importance of obedience to the Word of God is emphasized throughout the Scriptures. When the children of Israel were fed in the wilderness, Moses told them that in the evening they should know that the Lord had brought them out of the land of Egypt; and in the morning the manna, like the dew upon the ground, was to symbolize for them the ever present abundance and love of their almighty God. The supply continued as long as there was the need. It was essential in the gathering of the manna that each one should gather a certain amount each day, and on the sixty day a double portion for the supply on the Sabbath. This simple rule was a test to "prove them," whether they would walk in the way of the Lord. The gathering of more than enough was unavailing. They were compelled to give up their fear for the morrow and trust obediently in the invisible God.

Indispensable in the spiritual progress of each individual are the experiences, even the wilderness experiences, which reveal the nearness—yea, the very presence and power of God. Christ Jesus had been in the wilderness forty days when, being "an hungred," he was tempted to turn the stones into bread, that he might eat; but he would not. He met the arguments of mortal mind with the inspired word which Moses had voiced centuries before, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God," and said, "My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven."

Soon after feeding the five thousand with the five barley loaves and two small fishes, Jesus, walking on the water, entered the boat with his disciples, and "immediately the ship was at the land whither they went." Then the eager throngs seeking him came where he was, and asked for further manifestations of his power. He told them they were seeking him not because of the miracles, but because they had eaten and were filled. They craved material satisfaction; whereas he was demonstrating the nothingness of matter and the omnipotence of Spirit. He taught them, saying, "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."

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