“Give us this day our daily bread.”- Matthew 6:11
“When God gives a vision, He makes provision.”- Mark Batterson
Commenting on the above petition from the Lord’s Prayer at the beginning of Chapter 14 (“Lord Algebra”) of The Grave Robber, Mark Batterson wryly observes that we really wish the word daily was replaced with weekly, monthly, or yearly. However, depending on God on a daily basis has us right where He wants us. Mark then comments on what does not define spiritual maturity:
“Spiritual maturity is not self-sufficiency. In fact, our desire for self-sufficiency is a subtle expression of our sinful nature. It’s a desire to get to a place where we don’t need God. We want God to provide more so we need Him less.”
As Mark reminds us, while everyone wants a miracle, no one wants to be in a situation that necessitates one. Yet, God is gracious to put us in situations where enough isn’t enough. In other words, less is more.
The book of Numbers tells us that when God miraculously provided manna for the Israelites, He provided just enough. Daily manna was a reminder of their daily dependence on God. Mark concludes:
“So while we may want a one-year supply of God’s mercy, His mercies are new every morning. If God provided too much too soon, we’d lose our raw dependence upon God, our raw hunger for God. So God usually provides enough, just in time.”
Today’s question: What Bible verses, Christian books, or Christian songs remind you of your raw hunger and dependence on God? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “The Giving Game”
