Text- Matthew 6:9 – “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”
The Bible is pretty much clear about the relationship that exists between us, as believers, and God. He is our Father, and we are His Children. As a matter of fact, there are 265 references in the Bible where God is called by the title of Father. The vast majority of these references are found in the New Testament.
Major emphasis is laid, in the New Testament, on the father-child relationship between us and God because through Christ Jesus, who Bible calls the firstborn among many brethren, we also become sons and daughters of God (Romans 8:15; 29).
When we carefully examine “The Lord’s prayer”, there are three specific things that we are to ask the Father to do for us
1. Give us this day, our daily bread
2. Forgive us our trespasses (an expression of His love, already discussed)
3. Deliver us from evil
My focus in today’s devotional is the phrase “Give us this day”… This phrase clearly shows that our Father who art in heaven supplies all our needs. That’s why He is called Jehovah Jireh, The Lord our provider.
A Christian photographer who journals her family life, once wrote about her parenting experience with her first son Elias when he was 9 months old. He was at a phase where he would have tantrums in the event that he wasn't getting something he needed instantly.
For example, she wrote that whenever they placed him at the table and put his napkin on (signifying that it’s time to eat), but there was not yet food at the tablet, he would yell and cry as if they were not going to feed him.
One fateful day at the height his tantrums, Amber began to talk to her son, as it were in a monologue, being fully aware that 9 month old could not understand a bit of what she was saying.
She said, and I quote, "Elias, please calm down. Don't you know that we give you food every day because we love you and we know what you need? We gave you food yesterday, we'll give you food tomorrow, and of course we'll give you food today! Just trust us and be patient! Your food is coming."
You see, this is the same way God feels about us when we are impatient, and act as if He is not able and/or willing to meet out every need. I want you to pause for a moment and imagine God saying this to you right now:
“[Insert your name], please calm down. Don't you know that I provide for you every day because I love you and I know what you need? I provided for you yesterday, I'll provide for you tomorrow, and of course I’ll provide for you today! Just trust me and be patient! Your [Insert your need] is coming."
See what Jesus said in Matthew 7:11, "So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him?"
Beloved, rest assured your heavenly father will surely supply all your needs according to His riches in Glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19)
PRAYER
My Father who art in heaven, I put my trust in you as my provider please help me to be patient and wait in faith as you supply my every needs in Jesus Name.
Image Credit: rachaelcarman.com