Daily Trust, Daily Provision
This afternoon I returned to Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital for my monthly outpatient assessment. It went well and I was pleased that some improvement over the last month was noted. I commented to one of the therapists that my recovery reminds me of building a house. The frame and structure and drywall seems to go by quickly and then all the details of the interior finish seem to take forever. As I reflect on the progress over the last year, I am anticipating what will unfold this year.
Last night I joined some students at Liberty Commons High School to view the State of Union Address. Former Congressman Bob Schaffer serves as the Principal of the school and arranged to have two Colorado Congressmen to call in and give their view of the Presidents remarks and answer questions. It was a good evening and I appreciated the opportunity to meet some of the students and adults that were in attendance. (picture of me and Bob Schaffer)
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “The Lord said to Moses, “Now I am going to cause food to rain down from the sky for all of you. The people must go out every day and gather enough for that day. In this way I can test them to find out if they will follow my instructions.” (Exodus 16:4) “Give us today our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11)
Trust is one thing. Trusting the Lord daily is a test. One of the most understood miracles the Lord performed for His people in the wilderness was a daily provision of manna. If you think you got sick of “Romen noddles” working your way through college, image the same thing everyday for forty years! Regardless whether you baked, broiled it, sauteed it, barbecued it, ate it raw, it was still the same thing and the same process, everyday! Even your favorite food gets old after a while. The challenge was for the consistency of the provision to not lead to complaining. But complain they did. They craved the onion, leaks and garlic of Egypt. That is a diet only a vegetarian could desire.
The provision of the Lord was a test of trust and obedience. It was a test of gratitude. Just think, Israel did not need to worry about whether they would be food to eat tomorrow. The faithfully provided day in and day out. Their sandals did not wear out all the time they were in the wilderness. The Lord was with them to provide, protect and give them victories over enemies until they arrived in the promise land.
Our lives today are to be lived trusting in the Lord for each day, what we need for that day. Most of us don’t need to worry about whether or not something to eat will be available. Our own ability to provide can distract from the dailiness of the Lord’s provision even if it comes in the form of consistent income or resources to acquire what we need. Nonetheless, trust is a daily test. And the Lord taught His disciples to pray, “give us this day our daily bread.” The Lord often gives us each day what is needed for that day. And as we trust Him for that, He will be faithful to provide. Unlike the manna, it may not be in the same form, in the same way, everyday.
I like Jesus’ admonition in Matthew 6:31-34 “So do not start worrying: ‘Where will my food come from? or my drink? or my clothes?’ … Your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things. So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings.”
It is easy to call on the Lord in times of trouble and hardship, but we are to trust the Lord daily and daily receive His provision for our lives. That is not only a good reminder, it is test as well. One the Lord wants us all to pass.