Today we take a look at the beginning of the well-known prayer that Jesus taught us to give us this day our daily bread:
He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”
Luke 11:2-4
Yesterday morning we talked about sustainment. In these very different times, we certainly need that. Where do we get sustainment from?
One way I believe is to exercise a daily faith. Now, I am not talking about blind faith – faith in which I believe something may just turn up. I’m talking about a faith which is real, I have experience of and can draw on each day to get me through the day – in other words, sustainment.
Jesus said when you pray, say ‘give me this day our daily bread’. For 40 years in the wilderness, a nation called Israel received that from God, a daily portion of fresh bread.
Today I need both physical and spiritual bread to sustain me through these very strange times. So what do I believe are the ingredients of my faith that will give me sustainment?
1 In someone who is real.
2. Who is trustworthy
3. You have a relationship with.
First, there is overwhelming evidence Jesus existed. I want to take you further. I believe Jesus not only existed on Earth, was killed but yet came back to life. Yes, that is faith indeed. In other words, Jesus is alive right now so I put my faith in that Jesus can keep me going today because He lives.
Secondly, I do believe Jesus is trustworthy and has never ever told a lie. As the advert says ‘It does exactly what it says on the tin’. Therefore when Jesus says that He can keep me, I believe that and as I read the Bible daily and discover more about Jesus, I act on that knowledge I have learnt.
Thirdly why I believe the first two points, and why my faith is not blind, is because of point three. I have experience of faith in a relationship.
Most things in life start off small and then grow into something much bigger. Faith is just like this. One spark can start a fire. One small leak can flood a house. One tiny egg can become a bird. As I step by step follow Jesus I see Him working through my life.
So today Jesus offers you a daily relationship to sustain you. I hope you will give it some thought.
Stay safe and Blessed.