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Give us THIS DAY our DAILY Bread
By Janine Scott-Lowe, MD
Matthew 6:34: Therefore, DO NOT WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW for tomorrow will worry about itself. EACH DAY has enough trouble of its own.
Exodus 16:4: Then the Lord said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out EACH DAY and gather ENOUGH FOR THAT DAY."
Aren't you glad that God gives you what you need, when you need it? He doesn't usually give it to you early, or late, but just when you need it the most. I love how He does that!
So many times, we worry about so many things. This can happen when our thoughts are directed towards something we think may or may not happen in the future. Our minds become consumed with "What Ifs?" What if we don't have the strength, talent, ability, finances, time, etc., to do what we need to do? What if who we are, what we know, or what we have is not enough? What if things don't turn out the way we want them to? What if...what if...what if...? Imagining so many scenarios can drive you crazy!
That's where today's Scriptures come in. For me, they remind me that I don't need to worry about what the future may hold, as God WILL give me WHAT I NEED WHEN I NEED IT, to get me through each day. This means that whatever I may face on a certain day, He will MAKE SURE that I am UP TO FACING IT.
What I had to learn (like the children of Israel in the Exodus verse), is that God many times provides for us DAY BY DAY. What He gives is enough to meet our PRESENT need. Getting it daily gives us the OPPORTUNITY to PLACE OUR TRUST IN GOD as our Provider. Look at what it says in Exodus 16:19-20: Then Moses said to them, "No one is to keep any of it until morning." However, some of them paid no attention to Moses and they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them.
Why was Moses angry? Because those who tried to store up what was given to them for THAT day ONLY were DISOBEDIENT to what God commanded them. Exodus 16:4 says that by giving the people manna, God was testing them to see whether they would follow His instructions. So, hoarding what they had was not following the instructions of the Lord. The Israelites were to come to know and rely on GOD as their PROVIDER, and NOT themselves.
Perhaps that is what WE are supposed to do as well? There's something about learning how to rely on God EVERYDAY. When you come to that place of knowing that apart from Him, you really ARE NOTHING, and that all that you are, have, and do is because of Him. It can seem a little scary to be so dependent, but look at Who we are depending upon. A God who created the universe. A God who is forever faithful. A God who says that He WILL supply ALL of our needs, according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).
So, let us remember, when our minds start to drift, and we begin to worry about what our future may hold...God has our future and us in His hands. He will give us EXACTLY what we will need WHEN THE TIME COMES, so we need NOT worry about it. Remember, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. As He is taking care of us today, so shall He do so tomorrow, and, Lord willing, every day after that. Let's keep our eyes on the One who knows our beginnings, endings, and everything in between. Each day, let us TRUST GOD as our Jehovah-Jireh; CONFIDENT that He WILL provide ALL that we need to do ALL that He has called us to do and be, for HIS glory.
May our prayer model that of Jesus...that God woud give us THIS DAY our DAILY bread. (Luke 11:3)
God Bless!
Janine
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