In watching my three granddaughters while their parents work, the noon time question would be posed, “What would you like for lunch?”
One was not particular at all. Another would answer, “pizza” every day. The other still says, “grilled cheese” most times. Sometimes we would negotiate so they would get variety or a healthier choice.
This has made me think of “food” choices. Spiritual ones that is. Scripture tells us:
“Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11, NASB)
He alone knows exactly what I need for each day. Left to my own devices, I would default to the same foods each day, not making for a healthy diet, resulting in all I need to grow and function each day.
The Israelites, for whom God provided food each day – manna. They were instructed to go and gather the exact amount each morning to meet their needs. No more. No less. And it would be enough. We’re told it tasted like honey wafers (Exodus 16:11) which I am imagining would have tasted like Vanilla Wafers.
Later Jesus would say: “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst” (John 6:35, NASB).
- We need to be fed today. Much the way we need food to sustain me each day, We need to take in sustenance from God’s Word every day. A daily word. Yesterday’s was excellent, but we need a fresh word today. And we need a balanced diet.
- We don’t even know what we need. Much the way God provided an unknown food in the wilderness, He has a vast supply of food yet unknown to us. He knows when and how to introduce us to something new. Think of it this way, when I was a kid, there was no way anyone could get me to eat spinach. Now as an adult, it is one of my favorite vegetables. We mature and develop new taste buds as we allow Him to feed us each day.
- He is to be our source. Jesus repeated, “I am the bread of life!” (John 6:48, NASB). He gives us what will nourish our souls for the day so that we don’t merely survive the day, but we live in the day.
As we come to Him, each and every day, sharing with Him the demands and stresses, He will serve us exactly the portion of Himself which we need in order to face the day.
“Because our greatest spiritual need is met in Christ, we are fully satisfied.”
(from “I AM: Who Jesus is Changes Everything, page 33)
Jesus
will serve us our daily bread
so that we are assured of His Provision and Presence with us.
While I have read all of these before, to have them all in one place was amazing to see and read. Thirty-two prayers. It surely reinforced for me how important it is to pray at all times, for all people, and all situations. You can read Lisa Blair’s post, “Paul’s Prayers in the Bible” HERE.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Image by fancycrave1 from Pixabay
These truths are much needed reminders. It’s funny/strange how, as adults, we eat regularly, and even too much—-but spiritually, we forget we need to take in sustenance often.
It is amazing how we can tend so faithfully to one appetite, and neglect the other.
Great post Joanne! Lovely to be joining you here again.
Blessings, Jennifer
Joanne, I love how you point out that we don’t even know what we need with it comes to our spiritual sustenance. And yet God is so gracious to direct us to the right word, over and over again. Hugs, friend.
He brings just the right sustenance each day as we come to His table. He knows exactly what we need.
You have distilled powerful truth here into just the right size bites for key reminders, my friend. Thank you!
Thank you for stopping here to read, Pam, and for the encouragement as well!
God’s provision is so abundant!
And free 🙂
Great post, Joanne, I often pray the very things you list, as I ponder Jesus as my “daily bread”, and the Lord’s prayer asking the Father to give me my “daily bread”.
I ask each day the Lord would feed and nourish my soul to the full with His word!
It’s funny, Donna, I used to pray for the Lord to thrill me in His Word each day. But for some time now I have begun to pray for Him to feed my soul as I read His Word. And when He does, I also am thrilled by His Word. I think I had the cart before the horse, so to speak.
He is our “bread of life.” You’re right–we don’t always know what we need–whether it be food for our bodies or spiritual food. But one thing for sure, when we’re out of sorts and not feeling just right–we’re probably behind in our daily intake of spiritual food. Thank you for your encouraging message, Joanne.
Absolutely, Katherine. I know when I miss a day, or rush in my reading, I am lacking the whole day. Thank you for sharing that!
Joanne, I loved your words, “He gives us what will nourish our souls for the day so that we don’t merely survive the day, but we live in the day.”
I don’t want to just survive the day but live, really live, the day. I’m also reminded Jesus came to give us abundant life. He knows what we need to live in abundance!
Amen, Jerralea! I’m grateful you added “He knows what we need to live in abundance!” Fully is my One Word 2024 🙂
I would never think of skipping a day of eating physical food. Certainly, my eternal soul deserves the same care.
Indeed! May we be faithful to partake each day.
Thank you for this important reminder, Joanne! I needed to hear it this morning as I’m gearing up for a busy weekend. As I prep things to nourish others, I will keep your your message in my soul and keep Jesus at the forefront of all I do!
May you be fully prepared for, and enjoy, the weekend!
Joanne, I like that you said that sometimes we don’t know what we need. All we do know is that we come to Him thirsty, hungry, and needy of all He is. I’m so thankful He takes care of all the details of our spiritual feeding.
Thank You, Lord.
Amen.
God, help me remember to feast from your bounty. Amen.
Hi Joanne, so good to see you here. I have been away from blogging for ages and now that I am back I am looking for my favourites, of which you are one 😉 . I love what you say here. I love those 3 points too. We need to feed on Jesus and His word daily. Only in that way will we be satisfied.
God bless, Tracy
So glad you are back to blogging, Tracy. May we come to Jesus, letting Him satisfy our souls as only He can.