One of the cardinal rules of the spiritual life is, that we are to live exclusively in the present moment, without casting a look beyond.
The Israelites in the desert followed the pillar of fire without knowing whither it was leading them; they had a supply of manna but for one day; all above that became useless.
One of the cardinal rules of the spiritual life is, that we are to live exclusively in the present moment.
We walk by faith and not by sight. 🙏
Le ties the reading to its Scripture root: we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). The Israelites did not see where the pillar was leading. Abraham did not know where he was going. The manna could not be stored. The soul that lives in the present moment walks by faith. The soul that casts a look beyond walks by sight.
And the manna for one day — Exodus 16:19-20 — is God's design, not His limitation. He chose to provide for a day — so the soul would return to Him every morning. The mornings with the Word are the manna: one chapter, one moment of God, one day's portion. Tomorrow's manna will come tomorrow. 🙏
Think only of laying a solid foundation; see that it is deep and broad by an absolute renunciation of self, and by an abandonment without reserve.
Let God raise upon this foundation such a building as He pleases.
Shut your eyes and commit yourself to Him.
The foundation from entry 134 returns: utter despair of ourselves and unbounded confidence in God. Tonight: let God raise the building. The soul lays the foundation — renunciation, abandonment. And then shuts its eyes. Not negligence. Trust. The clay does not tell the potter what to make. Make and re-make this clay — it is Yours.
How wonderful is this walking with Abraham in pure faith, not knowing whither we go! And how full of blessings is the path!
God Himself will travel with you, as He did with the Israelites, to bring them step by step across the desert to the promised land.
What will be your blessedness if you will surrender yourself into the hands of God, not according to your desires, but according to His own good pleasure!
Hebrews 11:8 — By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. Abraham left Ur. Le and Roger are leaving Caldas da Rainha. Abraham did not know the destination. Le and Roger know Brittany — but not what God will build there.
And Fénelon says: that is wonderful. That is full of blessings. He Himself will travel with you — step by step — across the desert — to the land He has prepared. Not according to your desires — but according to His own good pleasure. The surrender that is not loss but blessedness. The pillar that moves when it moves. The manna that comes fresh every morning. And the God who walks with the pilgrims. 🙏
"How wonderful is this walking with Abraham in pure faith, not knowing whither we go! And how full of blessings is the path!"
François Fénelon · Le · July 23, 2026 · We walk by faith — the manna for one day, the pillar for one stepThe Pillar of Fire
Followed without knowing where. The soul that lives in the present moment walks by faith. The soul that looks beyond walks by sight.
Manna for One Day
A supply for one day only. One chapter. One moment of God. Tomorrow's manna comes tomorrow. Today's cannot be stored.
The Foundation
Renunciation of self. Abandonment without reserve. Let God raise the building as He pleases. Shut your eyes and commit.
Walking with Abraham
Not knowing where. Full of blessings. He Himself will travel with you — step by step to the promised land.