“Give us day by day our daily bread.” (Luke 11:3)
Life was going to change for the children of Israel once they left the wilderness and entered the promised land. “And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year” (Joshua 5:12).
The wilderness had been Israel’s training ground in trusting God. Each day they had to gather the bread they needed for that day. Only on the day before the Sabbath did they collect two days worth of bread. What was God wanting to teach His children? Day by day dependency.
“And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live” (Deut. 8:3).
Living hand to mouth is not easy. How we wish we had a little cushion. Oh how a fat bank account can ease our heart and mind! But it can also cause us to trust in uncertain riches rather than the living God.
Paul was taught how to abound and suffer need. He declared that he could do all things through Christ who strengthened him. Abounding, we honor God with the first-fruits of all our increase, acknowledging Him as our provider, the one who has given us the power to gain wealth. We learn how to give to others in need and not be rich only unto ourselves. When we are barely scraping by we learn how to walk by faith and not by sight, trusting that if we seek God and His righteousness, all we have need of will be added to us. We discover that God will never forsake the righteous, nor have his children begging for bread.
Whatever day you are in, depend on God. Don’t trust in yourself or anything you have other than Him. He is your good, good Father. Cast all your cares upon Him, knowing and believing that He cares for you. He will supply for all of your needs according to His riches in glory.