A Texas farmer was talking with a farmer from Oklahoma. "How big is your farm?" asked the Texan.

"Oh, it's big," replied the Sooner. "Better than a thousand acres."

Not to be outdone, the Texan replied, "Let me tell you. I can get into my pickup at sunup, head west, and by sundown I'm still on my land."

The Oklahoman thought for a moment and smiled. "You know," he said, "I had a pickup like that once!"

We all need to be humbled. Boastful pride and a self-sufficient attitude that ignores God will undermine our faith in His Word and thwart His blessings.

The Israelites learned this lesson the hard way. For 40 years God had sustained them by the miracles of the manna, the cloud, and the pillar of fire. But to a new generation who knew nothing else, the supernatural had become natural. So Moses reminded them that God had humbled their parents with hunger, then fed them, so they'd know He was their provider.

Today science makes progress in many fields. Our lives are improved, and we take pride in our ability to solve our problems. Then comes an echo from the past: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Mt. 4:4).  — Dennis J. De Haan