The passage presents a meditation on divine provision during a time of need, using the Biblical account of manna as a metaphor for God’s daily sustenance. It emphasizes that even if conventional sources of food fail—represented by corn, wine, or other bounties—the faithful will be fed through the grace and power of God. The text teaches that divine blessings are dispensed according to each person’s need, neither excessively to the greedy nor insufficiently to the needy. It establishes a contrast between relying on one's own effort to stockpile resources and trusting in God to provide what is necessary. The faithful are reminded that God’s provision is measured and just, ensuring that all receive what they require without surplus that could lead to hoarding. This encourages an attitude of living by faith, relying on daily divine help rather than accumulating wealth or supplies as a safeguard against uncertainty. The work underscores the idea that attempts to control or store God’s grace—symbolized by the futile effort of storing manna—are both ineffective and contrary to the spirit of trust required in a relationship with the divine. The narrative illustrates that the divine hand allocates sustenance with perfect wisdom, mindful of individual limits and capacities. In this way, the passage serves as an admonition against the human impulse to manipulate or over-secure what is intended as a gift freely provided. In summary, the text is a call to embrace reliance on God’s timely provision, suggesting that true security lies in faith and the acceptance of daily, appropriately portioned grace.
By John Newton · First published 1779 · Genre: Religious Poetry, Biblical Allegory, Didactic Literature