Jesus told us to ask for daily bread from God. Daily. Not weekly, monthly, or even a few days at a time. We are to look to God to provide for our needs on a day to day basis. Tomorrow, as Jesus points out elsewhere, has enough troubles of its own. This mentality of praying for, and expecting, daily provision helps to fight both greed and the fear of lack. In the desert as the Israelites were wandering, God provided manna every single day. They even got a double portion on Fridays to cover Saturday as well, so they could relax on Shabbat. Is it conceivable that God could have abandoned them to starve in the desert? No! But we read about their lack of faith as they complained and then idolatry started to kick in. Idolatry is a result of fear of lack. We try to get our needs met outside of God’s provision and it comes from a lack of trust, and rebellion against God.
Jesus fed 5,000 with five loaves and two fish. But did you know God had done this before about 900 years beforehand? In the story with Elisha, God miraculously provided for 100 people using just 20 loaves (read 2 Kings 4:42-44)
We need fresh manna daily, fresh bread.
God can provide, no matter how dire the situation might seem. There are many stories of miracles of provision happening now, in our days. In Psalm 23 when we’re reminded that the Lord is our shepherd, we read about being cared for, sat down on grassy places and fed, and our cup running over. This is who our Father is.
Similarly, in the patterns God lays out for temple worship there are grain offerings that need to be brought morning by morning (Ezekiel 46:14) as well as showbread that must be presented. Is God hungry? Or is there a principle here? We need fresh manna daily, fresh bread. Jesus tells us we can expect our Father God to provide for us day by day.
