Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread.
This passage of scripture, taken from the model prayer of our Lord and Savior, petitions God for our daily bread on a day to day basis. It is not that God is not cognizant of our temporal needs, but the very act of asking Him to provide, is in itself an acknowledgment of our total dependence upon His providence. God is the One who provides us with food to eat, clothes to wear, and a roof right over our heads, but many people, even among Christians do not ask, or otherwise forget to acknowledge the mercies of God. And it is often the case that we are only driven to do so when poverty comes knocking on our door, or when sickness raises its ugly head.
The Psalmist David wrote extensively about the provisions of God for both man and beast, and if, as in our passage today, Jesus could ask for His daily bread, then isn't it in order, for us as frail mortals then to petition God and thank Him daily for the material blessings of life? What is worthy of note, in the way in which God provides for His creation, is that He showers blessings on the good and on the evil, and even though millions of people do not thank or acknowledge Him for His kindness, yet He remains faithful in providing for our every need. Let's read:
Psalm 103:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Psalm 104:13 He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works. 14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; 15 "And oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.
But there is danger in us focusing too heavily on our daily bread, to the point where all of our best energies are consumed in procuring the material blessings, which God has provided in abundance. Our spiritual bread should never take a backseat to our temporal bread, for the Bread of life is much more important. In other words, our jobs, and our finances should never be allowed to usurp the preeminence of Christ, the Living Bread in our lives, for whenever this occurs, a very serious imbalance is created, and if not addressed urgently, could cause us to forfeit both the temporal and the spiritual bread, which God has been pleased to give. Let's read:
Matthew 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
In lieu of the balance that must be maintained at all times, between the spiritual and temporal bread, it is therefore incumbent upon us to ask intelligently, so that on the one hand we may not be overly consumed with material blessings, and on the other, that we may not become so heavenly minded, that we are no earthly good. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which teaches us how to ask for our daily bread wisely, and if we comply according to God's will, He will surely supply all of our needs, according to His riches in glory, and in harmony with His perfect purposes for us. Let's read:
Proverbs 30:7 Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: 8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!