Readings:
Exodus 15:19 - 17:7
Matthew 22: 1-33
Psalm 27: 1-6
Proverbs 6: 20-26
Exodus reading: "Give us this day, our daily bread". These words from the revered "Lord's Prayer" have brought comfort and connection to God to believers ever since our Lord first uttered them. Yet as precious and meaningful as these words are, I sometimes thing we have made an idol out of the wording, rather than the sentiment expressed therein. For Jesus did not day to his disciples, "This is what you should pray" - instead, he said. "This is how you should pray". Sometimes I think we just rattle off the Lord's Prayer without thinking about what we are saying.
These words come to mind when reading the Exodus passage set for today. Here we see the Israelites, having been led out into the desert after their escape from Egypt, finding themselves without food, and God miraculously provides them with manna (a bread-like substance) that was gathered up each morning. Yet God issues strict instructions to the Israelites to gather up only what they and their families need for that particular day. Those who attempoted to gather up more were disappointed, since any surplus hoarded was rotten the next day (the only exception being the sixth day, where they were instructed to gather sufficient for the Sabbath as well).
So what is the lesson in this? While it is prudent to want to provide for tomorrow, I believe that Jesus is also calling upon us to trust God today for what we need today. This applies not only to our material needs, but also our spiritual and emotional needs. Let our prayer today be to give us today what we need for today. Tomorrow we will ask God to give us what we need for tomorrow. And in this way, we trust God to provide each and every day of our lives.
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