After a winter surf my entire mind is consumed with a visit to the local bakery to get some fresh baked goods. As I walk into the bakery I become swept up by the aroma. As I get my hands on a delicious warm loaf of bread I know it's going to be just what I need...OK, let's be honest, it's probably not bread, but a chocolate doughnut!
As I eat that baked goodness I am satisfied. I am not thinking about tomorrow, I'm not thinking about a week ahead, or even a year ahead. I am just completely wrapped up in the goodness of the moment and how it fully meets my needs.
I wonder if I was to apply this thought to my life needs, would I be as satisfied or would I be worrying about tomorrow? Jesus teaches us to pray, "Give us this day our DAILY bread"—so why are we more concerned about having bread in a week's time, rather than enjoying the daily bread?
Lessons from our descendants
God sent daily bread—manna—to his people, the Israelites, as they wandered the desert. Exodus chapter 16 shows an amazing heavenly father being faithful to his promise to provide and the Israelites being not-so-faithful in trusting God's promise.
They were told to trust God for the daily manna, yet just like us, they were more consumed by worry for tomorrow and collected extra—against God's commands. The consequences were maggots and worms in the saved manna.
Even though we read God is faithful—today, tomorrow and forever—we are still so much like the Israelites, not trusting in His daily bread. For us the consequences of not trusting God can be fear, insecurity and uncertainty.
Learning to trust in His daily bread
I have been a missionary in various faith-supported roles and over the last 10 years I have become fairly familiar with the idea of the bank account being low. I know if God has called me He will meet my needs. The first time the bank account dipped I freaked out a bit! I can't say I don't occasionally feel the same way from time to time!
What I can say is I have realised time and time again is that God is faithful. He does and will meet my needs. I have been totally blown away by the way he has provided. I can tell you it certainly has been a decade of miracles.
'Bread' from the Land of the Rising Sun
Just a few weeks ago I found myself at a crossroads, in one direction was worry and fear, in the other was trust and faith.
Thankfully I chose trust and I knew what I needed to do. I had recently become aware of few pressing needs for our life, so as I drove to my last day of work for the next seven days I began to praise God and simply thank Him for meeting those needs. The Holy Spirit filled the car, leaving me with nothing but delight and joy. I was totally consumed with being in the presence of God.
As the days passed I remembered each day to thank God for my daily bread. Each day I faced the decision to trust God rather than the lies of the enemy. A good friend once said, 'not everything that is true is the truth'. It was true—the circumstance of each day was the same, but the truth was God is faithful and he provides our daily needs.
The highest authority in the life of a Christian is not circumstances. The highest authority is the word of God. This wisdom saw us go into each day of that week trusting in God. Sometimes God calls us to exercise faith first and stand firm on his word before provision comes about.
As the week went on God faithfully provided. A faithful, obedient brother from Japan was prompted by God to be the answer to my prayer. I had not spoken to this person for three years and he had no idea of my circumstances. The finance hit our account and I was overjoyed. God heard my prayer and He answered me (Psalms chapter 118, verse 5). He had taught us to trust His daily bread, and to thank Him for it daily.
Asking acknowledges He is God
When we pray 'give us this day our daily bread' we are inviting our Heavenly Father into our daily lives. This kind of prayer reminds us it is not by bread by which we are sustained but by every word from the mouth of God (Matthew chapter 4, verse 4).
God desires to be acknowledged as the faithful father and God He is. He delights in our grateful praise. He enjoys providing good things for His children. So are you spending time with God for your daily bread?
Justin Monaghan is currently launching as a professional prophetic artist under the label JR Faith Creations and runs a creative home fellowship with his wife Liana.Justin is also heavily involved in his local surfing community of South Australia as a surf coach, a judge of surf contests and a member of Christian Surfers. Check out JR Faith Creations to see some of his art at https://www.facebook.com/Jrfaithcreations
Justin Monaghan's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/justin-monaghan.html