In the End

He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you. Deuteronomy 8:16 NIV

God knew what He was doing. He gave the Israelites manna to eat every morning, not because He was big fan of Frosted Flakes (manna was thin flakes, like frost, that tasted sweet like honey, sounds like Tony the Tiger's Frosted Flakes to me). God gave His people manna so that they would learn to trust Him completely.

The Israelites were grumblers. Ever know a grumbler? They grumbled when it was too cold. They grumbled when it was too hot. They grumbled when they were hungry. They grumbled when they were thirsty. They grumbled when they had a king. They grumbled when they didn't have a king. They just liked to grumble. Again, may I ask you, ever know a grumbler?

God caused the Israelites to hunger, then He fed them with manna. Then He caused the manna to spoil if they kept it for more than one day. This, and the quail God provided at night, was the only food the Israelites knew. Do you think you could learn to trust your sole food source? God said He gave them manna just for that reason. So they, in the end, would know that He was their source for life.

You see, God is interested in how we finish. Today's verse further explains that the manna was provided "so that in the end it might go well with" the Israelites. God wanted them to finish well! He wanted them to end their life living in faith. He knew there would be times of grumbling; times of doubt. He knew they wouldn't always have perfect faith, but God was concerned that they finished life in a way that pleased Him.

And, God is concerned that you finish well, too! He knows you are not perfect. He knows as hard as you try you still struggle in your faith. He knows you've missed the mark over and over again. He knows that, because He created you. He knows you better than you know yourself. But, God is less interested in your past, and even your present. He is interested in your finish! He wants you to finish well!

In the end, He wants you to be faithfully loving and serving Him. When will your end be? I don't know, and you don't either, but one thing you can answer...will He find you finishing well?