THE LORD’S PRAYER
Part 3 of 4
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Matthew 6:11 “Give us today our daily bread.”
The simplicity of this portion of the prayer reminds us:
1. God is the source (Recognition)
a. Of our strength
We need God’s help on a daily basis. "A Morning Prayer for Help" - "Dear God, so far today I’ve done alright, I haven’t gossiped, lost my temper, been nasty, selfish or over indulgent. But in a few minutes God, I’m going to get out of bed and from then on, I’m going to need all the help I can get."
--God is my strength in every aspect of life
--I can face the devil’s schemes because God is the source of my strength.
--I can raise my kids because of God’s help.
--I earn a paycheck because God has enabled me to work.
--As a matter of fact, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
b. Of our supply
--It is true that God is the source of everything. Who made the sun, rain, earth, crops, pollen, bees, animals for food, etc? God... in all things.
--Is it coincidence that the earth is the proper distance from the sun to make it inhabitable? The miracle of life most definitely couldn’t come from the ones that inherit the gift.
2. We need to stay close to Him (Dependence)
a. We often get ahead of God because of our independent nature. **Sign seen in a textile mill, “When your thread becomes tangled, call the foreman.” A young woman was new on the job. Her thread became tangled and she thought, “I’ll just straighten this out myself.” She tried, but the situation only worsened. Finally she called the foreman.
“I did the best I could,” she said.
“No you didn’t. To do the best, you should have called me.”
b. It is a dangerous thing to be prosperous. The crucible of adversity is a less severe trial to the Christian than the refining pot of prosperity. Oh, what leanness of soul and neglect of spiritual things have been brought on through the very mercies and bounties of God! --Charles Spurgeon
3. We don’t need to foolishly hoard resources (Perspective)
a. Children of Israel are a prime example with the manna.
b. Luke 12:18 ff
c. Matthew 6:25 ff
