Daily Devotions
Luke
Luke 11: 1-13 "GIVE US DAY BY DAY, OUR DAILY BREAD"
Day 136 – Luke 11
Text: Luke 11: 1-13
“GIVE US DAY BY DAY, OUR DAILY BREAD”
We take for granted many things of life. One of the things that we often take for granted is “our daily bread.”
We seem to have two extremes to contend with. On the one hand, there is the problem of worrying. On the other hand, there is the problem of being caught up with material things!
The best answer to the both extremes seems to be that we learn what it means to ask the Lord to “give us day by day, our daily bread.”
IT IS THE LORD WHO GIVES
One of the most powerful word that Moses taught ancient Israel concerning the Lord’s provision is found in Deuteronomy 8. Let’s take a look at some of the more striking remarks made by Moses in this chapter,
“The Lord your God is bringing you into a good land,
a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs,
that flow out of valleys and hills,
a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees
and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey,
a land which in which you will eat bread without scarcity,
in which you will lack nothing…”
Deuteronomy 8:7-9
Moses kept reminding Israel that they have nothing to fear, nothing to worry about… the Lord will give to them all that they need! It is indeed right that we trust the Lord even as we pray, “Give us day by day, our daily bread.”
A FAIR WARNING
The danger of being overly caught up with concerns of this world was underscored by Moses in Deuteronomy 8. Moses encouraged Israel to trust that God would meet all their needs. In the same breath, he also warned Israel of the danger of forgetting God in times of plenty.
“Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God
by not keeping His commandments, His judgments,
and His statutes which I command you today,
lest- when you have eaten and are full,
and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them;
and when your herds and flocks multiply,
and your silver and gold are multiplied,
and all that you have is multiplied,
when your heart is lifted up,
and you forget the Lord your God
who brought you out of Egypt,
from the house of bondage”
Deuteronomy 8:11-14
A SECOND DANGER
A second danger was highlighted by Moses. He knew the hearts of men all too well. He knew that the danger was not just forgetting God. The second danger was even more deadly.
“Then you say in your heart,
My power and the might of my hand
Have gained me this wealth…”
Deuteronomy 8:17
The second danger is that of denying God’s hand of blessing, and simultaneously of claiming all the glory for self! Pride, personal glory and the exclusion of God in life are deadly sins in the sight of God.
“YOU SHALL REMEMBER…” Deuteronomy 8:18
Moses reminded them that when it comes to the matter of material things, the following truth must be remembered.
“And you shall remember the Lord your God,
for it is He who gives you the power to get wealth,
that He may establish His covenant which
He swore to your fathers, as it is this day”
Deuteronomy 8:18
Israel was reminded that they must always remember God… as the One who gives! He not only gave Israel the land of Canaan, He also gave them the power to work the land, until it produced wealth for the nation.
WHAT ARE WE TO HAVE IN MIND WHEN WE PRAY?
When we pray, “Give us day by day, our daily bread” what should we have in mind? Surely, the wise words of wisdom from Moses ought to be borne in mind.
1. Let us be mindful that it is the Lord who sees to all our needs. Let us trust even as we pray to the Lord to meet all our needs.
2. Let us determine that we would never take the Lord’s blessings for granted.
3. Let us also determine that we would never forget to be thankful for the Lord’s abundant blessings poured into our life.
4. Let us consciously seek to remember the Lord and how He has enabled us to obtain wealth.
HUMILITY NEEDED
It is humbling indeed to have to pray that God would supply our daily bread. Humbling- but correct! Humbling- and safe! Great danger lies in forgetting God!
Webmaster’s Note :
If you are seeking a deeper level of understanding of prayer, please check out Pastor Charlie Tan’s excellent weekly articles on The Theology of Prayer , which includes a more indepth study of The Lord’s Prayer and how it applies to our prayer-life.