Daily Bread

"Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land that the LORD promised on oath to your forefathers. Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you." Deuteronomy 8:1-5

"Give us today our daily bread." Matthew 6:11

Isn't it reassuring that God gives us what we need for each day, on that day....not before, and not after. He provides what we need when we need it. He is never late, but always on time. That reminds me of Gandalph's response in the Fellowship of the Ring movie, when Frodo exclaimed that the wizard was late. Gandalph replied, "A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to."

I recently came across notes in my Bible from a special speaker we had at our church a number of years ago. He pointed out that the passage in Deuteronomy was a forerunner of the Lord's prayer. He said that we are invited into a journey of living one day at a time.

We see that while the Israelites wandered in the desert in the pursuit of the promise land, God used this time to make them into the people that He desired. It is a lesson for us as well. God would rather have us take longer to get somewhere, if it means that we will arrive as the right people. God is not in a hurry.

This speaker also pointed out that, "Faith leads us on an exciting journey of daily trust in God." God often will give us a glimpse of a vision, or mission that He has for us in the future. But often, it may be many years before we see fruition of that promise. In the waiting time, we need to be doing whatever we can to prepare for that future mission. Perhaps it means, being faithful to what He is calling you to do each day, where you are. Sometimes it means taking special classes or courses that help to prepare you for the journey ahead. Other times it could just be a time of drawing closer to the Lord.

It is important to take one day at a time. Trust God for strength and direction for that day. Be faithful with what He has given you to do. Learn to hear His voice and follow it in the little things. The stronger your faith muscle grows, the more He will eventually give you to do. Remember to take things slow....one day at a time.