“Give us this day our daily bread.”
Exodus 16:4
It’s easy to worry about tomorrow. It’s human nature to wonder about the days ahead and all of the troubles that they may carry. The Word vehemently cautions us against this, but God also knows that it’s easy to default to this nature because there are so many scriptures that tell us not to worry. From the Old and New Testaments, we are admonished countless times not to worry. Instead, we should rest in the freedom of knowing that whatever lies ahead, God has already prepared the grace to face it.
When God provided the children of Israel with manna in Exodus 16:1–36, He gave strict instructions on the gathering of it. Essentially, they were to gather enough for the day, except in preparation for the Sabbath. If they gathered too much, the manna spoiled and became rotten. In other words, if they became anxious about the supply and tried to mitigate a potential shortage, it would be a futile effort because what God provided would only last for the day. This divine provision could not be explained away in logical terms, and the Israelites were still adjusting to their lives outside of bondage. So the miracle of manna was a unique juxtaposition to their fixed mindset of captivity: they were learning the loving nature of God and trying to unlearn the torturous nature of the Egyptian pharaoh.
Each morning, we should pray for the grace to manage whatever we will encounter and know that God is faithful to provide that measure of grace. It’s not uncommon for me to get ahead of myself- and God- and try to manipulate situations and circumstances to go my way “just in case.” This mindset is indicative of bondage. Just as the Israelites had to renew their mindsets to the caring character of God and break their minds free of their former lives, I must do the same. Being mindful of Who provides my bread and provision for me daily shifts my perspective from the captivity of being self-reliant (and thus prideful), to being totally dependent on God and His supernatural supply.
Jesus told us in Matthew 6 that Father God knows what we need. He reminds us that we add nothing to our lives- who we are and what we have- by worrying. While not worrying isn’t necessarily easy, it is possible. It takes a renewing of our carnal minds to the mind of Christ. When I catch myself worrying, I think of God’s perfect love for me and how that love was perfected with the Cross. In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul writes, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” In this, prayer becomes my way out. Simply talking it out with God eases my spirit and guides me back to the center of knowing that God is my Provider. He will give me everything that I need daily. The bondage of worrying about tomorrow melts into knowing Who holds tomorrow.
Prayer for Release: Heavenly Father, worrying drains me emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I know that because You love me, You will provide me with everything that I need. Help me to break free from the bonds of worry by resting in Your promise for provision.