We Have What We Need
Give us this day our daily bread. Matthew 6:11 (NKJV)
The exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt to the land flowing with milk and honey, which the Lord had promised them, was fraught with difficulties. They grumbled about the misfortunes they endured on their arduous journey. They complained that the quail and manna God had provided for sustenance were not good enough. They wanted more. They longed for the meat, fish and vegetables they enjoyed in Egypt. The hardships they suffered there were a distant memory. (Numbers 11:4-6).
While they were grumbling, they didn’t realise God was providing for their needs in miraculous ways in the wilderness. Their minds were fixed on what they thought they lacked, not on the provision they were blessed with each day. They failed to see that the provision was enough to sustain them. In fact, it was enough to sustain them each day until they reached the border of Canaan, the land God had promised them (Exodus 16:35).
In her book, The Path of Loneliness: Finding Your Way Through the Wilderness to God, Elisabeth Elliot says this,
“God has promised to supply our needs. What we don’t have now we don’t need now.”
A Day’s Portion
This has been my experience when I’ve prayed for God to supply my needs. I remember one time when I was praying for a job; God didn’t give me the job I was hoping for. He didn’t give me a job that suited my qualifications; instead, He gave me a job I needed at that moment. A job that set me up for a number of promotions. The last promotion was to a position I was not even qualified for. But the Lord equipped me in amazing ways to do the job. God set me up for success, not only for myself, but also for the organisation I was working for. I’ve also seen this in the past seven years since we’ve moved to a new country. God has miraculously sustained us with His manna each day.
When we find ourselves in need, we can do one of two things: have an unthankful heart and grumble like the Israelites, or we can thank God for the sustenance He has blessed us with for that day. His sustenance is not only for our physical needs, but also for our souls and spirits. When we trust Him, He will sustain our souls daily with His peace, love, and kindness. He will sustain our Spirits daily through His Word.
Our omniscient God knows our needs. He sees the bigger picture; we don’t have to worry about the future. He holds our future safely in His hands. God will grant you today’s portion. Trust Jesus, the Bread of Life. He is faithful. He has never failed us before and will not fail us now. So today, wherever you may find yourself – in financial need, in the midst of challenges at work, strained relationships, worry about the future - God is there with His portion, His daily bread for today.
Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread. Psalm 37:25 (NLT)
Reflection:
Will you trust God to give you His portion each day?
Prayer:
Lord, You know all my needs. I give them to You. I pray for Your portion - physical, emotional, and spiritual- for today. Sustain me with Your daily bread. In Jesus’ name, amen.
