Two verses from Deuteronomy 8

(#1) Deuteronomy 8:5
Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you.
(NIV)

Usually when I think about how God disciplines us, I think of Hebrews 12:5-11. Or even Proverbs 3:11-12. It makes me feel secure and comforted that this idea is even much older than either of those references. I love finding beautiful spiritual truths in the oldest books of the Bible.

I especially love finding the gospel in the most ancient texts...

(#2) Deuteronomy 8:16
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.
(NIV)

Again, we are looking at God's discipline. Why does he do it? To humble and to test us "so that in the end it might go well with you."

Nobody likes to be taught a lesson. Nobody likes to be corrected. And certainly nobody likes to be humbled or punished. But God does it for us for our good. We must learn who we are, and who He is, and this process can be unpleasant for those with strong wills and rebellious spirits (most of us). But it is only when we understand our place in His universe that we can bow before Him in humble thanksgiving and accept the gift He gives... not manna but Jesus, the bread of life.