Give us today our daily bread.
Two times in 6 words, the dailyness of our requests is mentioned. Jesus was intentional with His Words. Here He tells us to focus on what we need for the day.
Today. The one and only, here and now is what we have, what we live in. The Present. Who knows about tomorrow? Yesterday is gone.
Not that we don't need to prayerfully plan ahead. And the past does contribute to the needs of today. But it is His day by day encouragement, wisdom, grace, guidance and so much more we need, to help us navigate through life. It is what we need to be reminded of as we seek to learn to do life His way. Left to ourselves, our default is not so great.
Not that we don't need to prayerfully plan ahead. And the past does contribute to the needs of today. But it is His day by day encouragement, wisdom, grace, guidance and so much more we need, to help us navigate through life. It is what we need to be reminded of as we seek to learn to do life His way. Left to ourselves, our default is not so great.
I also read this morning (do you think God is trying to tell me something here?) a little Henri Nouwen. He said,
"Mostly we have just enough light to see the next step: what we have to do in the coming hour or following day. The art of living is to enjoy what we can see and not complain about what remains in the dark. When we are able to take the next step with the trust that we will have enough light for the next step that follows, we can walk through life with joy and be surprised at how far we go."
Life is a step by step process. One day at a time. Twelve step recovery programs have discovered the great secret of living this way. In fact the very name of the program reflects the importance of this. Those who learn to do this well, find themselves on a healing path. The truth is we are all in need of recovery and this particular "art of living" is something we all can practice and grow from.
This is nothing new. The children of Israel were only given enough manna (their food) for the day. If they tried to hoard more for later, it rotted. Yet day by day there was enough. There was no need for them to take more than they needed for each day. Check out Exodus 16. What a stark way for them to learn this lesson.
From the Nouwen quote I was convicted that worry is a form of complaint. Jesus, in Luke 12, used a bit of irony with His followers and said, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
God knows what we need and when we need it. He wants us trust Him and realize worry is a needless, futile exercise. Truth be known, we can't deal with what is around the corner yet because there are things that will be in play we aren't even aware of now. We need to leave our tomorrows in His capable hands.
God knows what we need and when we need it. He wants us trust Him and realize worry is a needless, futile exercise. Truth be known, we can't deal with what is around the corner yet because there are things that will be in play we aren't even aware of now. We need to leave our tomorrows in His capable hands.
God help me focus on seeking You for the Light I need for the present day. Each day. Help me strive to live a life of faith and gratitude. Thank you for the enough you give me. Help me remember daily,
The faithful love of the LORD never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is His faithfulness;
His mercies begin afresh each morning.
Lamentations 3:22-23
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