“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
Matthew 7:11
What comes to mind when you think of bread? For billions of people all over the world and for people throughout history, bread has been a symbol of provision and basic sustenance. That’s how Jesus uses the image of bread in the Lord’s Prayer.
Think about what it is that you may need (not want, but need). Whatever it is—food, shelter, clothing, protection, love—Jesus says that we can go to God in prayer and ask Him to meet our basic human needs. People who have never been incarcerated sometimes wrongly think that the prison system takes care of the bare necessities. I know from the time I served in prison that this is not always true.
However, Jesus cares about these things. He cares more about our salvation than our hunger pangs (see Matthew 6:33). That doesn’t mean He doesn’t care about our hunger at all. In fact, He delights to take care of us. He is not miserly, feeding us begrudgingly. He loves to meet our needs generously. When He does, we respond in praise and adoration, and we glorify the God of our provision.
Think about what it is that you may need (not want, but need). Whatever it is—food, shelter, clothing, protection, love—Jesus says that we can go to God in prayer and ask Him to meet our basic human needs. People who have never been incarcerated sometimes wrongly think that the prison system takes care of the bare necessities. I know from the time I served in prison that this is not always true.
However, Jesus cares about these things. He cares more about our salvation than our hunger pangs (see Matthew 6:33). That doesn’t mean He doesn’t care about our hunger at all. In fact, He delights to take care of us. He is not miserly, feeding us begrudgingly. He loves to meet our needs generously. When He does, we respond in praise and adoration, and we glorify the God of our provision.
Scripture Focus
Matthew 6:9-13
Insight
What do you need that you don’t have? Ask God for it in prayer. Seek Him first, and all your needs will be provided for as well.
Bible In A Year
- Leviticus 11-12
- Psalm 51
- Luke 15
