When was the last time you prayed for daily provisions? We have been so blessed in America that we rarely pray for a day-by-day sustenance. We take for granted the things God provides each day. We have become so accustomed to waking up, grabbing a cup of our favorite beverage, and starting our day. As I placed my pod of dark roast specialty coffee in my machine this morning, it dawned on me how really blessed we are and how we take the blessings of everyday life for granted. We treat God as if we only need him for the “big” stuff. As if we can manage on our own until something happens beyond our control.
As I write this, I am reminded of the year 2020, when the entire world was suffering from a pandemic. God had the attention of some who have not called on His name in years. There were extremely long lines at food banks all over America. Businesses were closed to stop the spread of COVID-19. Entire states were put on lockdown. Everything seemed to be out of control. Mankind grappled with ways to end this unprecedented time in our history. There were many who humbled themselves to God, but multitudes have yet to bow a knee to pray to the only one who has complete control.
I’m reminded of the Israelites’ journey to the land God had promised them. They left Egypt with only a month’s provisions. After a month, they were totally dependent on God for daily provisions. God spoke to Moses and told him He would rain down bread from Heaven and quail to eat. They were to gather enough for one day at a time, except on the sixth day, when they were to gather enough for two days, the sixth and the Sabbath. This would allow them a day of rest from any work. A day set aside for the worship of God.
Exodus 16:4-5 “Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.”
Exo 16:13 “And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host.”
God gave them specific regulations regarding his provisions. They were to gather as much as they needed for that day. If they disobeyed and took more than they needed, it would be rotten by morning. The only exception was once a week to provide for the Sabbath.
Exodus 16:18-20 “And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating. And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning. Notwithstanding, they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them.”
Why would God not allow them to gather for more than one day? I believe he wanted them to look to him daily and not become self-sufficient, for even a day. He was also protecting them from being weighed down by having to take care of and prepare food each day. He was leading them, and there was to be no doubt that he was in control. He was taking care of them, as long as they obeyed.
Jesus himself taught us this principle of daily dependence on Him. In Luke and Matthew, he tells us to pray for our daily needs. I love Luke’s simplicity; he states it as a request “day by day.”
Luke 11:3 “Give us day by day our daily bread.”
What does this daily dependence do for us? It causes us to place our focus on God, not ourselves. This will cause things that stress us not to seem so important because we are viewing them from an eternal perspective. That view changes everything! It also builds our trust in God. Trust enhances our relationship. When we fully trust someone, we don’t worry every time they walk out the door that they are doing something different than what they say. As the trust grows, we reach a point where we don’t question anything they tell us. It’s the same way with God. When we fully trust Him, we will have a deep peace knowing He is in control and wants what is best for us. Fully trusting reduces and removes anxiety. There is no longer a need to worry. As the saying goes, we know “He’s got our backs,” and He’s fully capable of handling everything.
How do we gain this daily dependence? We need to spend time in prayer and in the study of His word. Understanding who He is will deepen our trust and love. It’s not enough to know God’s general qualities; you need to dig deeper and make them personal. You develop that relationship just like you would any other. It takes time and commitment.
He is waiting and longs for a day-by-day relationship with you, with total dependence on Him. What will it take for you to look up and cry out to an Almighty God, begging for His forgiveness, so that you may have a relationship with Him? One by one, we each need to humble ourselves and cry out to God for forgiveness, provision, and protection. Acknowledging that He and He alone is in total control, and as we place our trust in Him. We can then face each day with confidence and peace, knowing that no matter what happens, He is taking care of it day by day.
This truth is ever-present with me as I sit in a hospital room with my Mom. She has been in the hospital so much in the past few years that I know the staff in three hospitals by name. Many times in the past year, I have wondered if she would pull through and be allowed to go home. This past week, I did not believe she would make it through the night. She was totally oblivious to this present world, but kept saying loudly, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, take my soul, take my soul.” The next morning, she was talking and very cognisant of everything and everyone. Her condition causes me to take life day-by-day. It makes me more aware of all the blessings God affords me in this life, and even more so in the life to come. James Jas 4:14 reminds us of the need to live life day by day, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
