Strength

One of the benefits of being married to a preacher man is not only hearing the sermon once on Sunday morning. Instead, I get to be present for the process, development, and sometimes practice as well as he gets to be present for my questions, thoughts, and ponderings inspired by his message. Here are some things I will be carrying with me this week:

This morning's message was packed full of reminders that the Lord intends for us to handle one day at a time. "Give us this day our daily bread" is not only a surface prayer for food, but a weighty souvenir for God's chosen people of a time when their most desperate needs were met.

19 Then Moses said to them, "No one is to keep any of it until morning."
20 However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them. (Exodus 16:19-20)

Isn't this so like us? To say we believe in God, that we trust he will provide for our needs, and then say with our actions, "Thank you Lord for providing this one time but since you might not tomorrow, I will take what you have given me and look out for myself." No wonder we as a society struggle with anxiety and selfishness! We have been so trained to plan ahead that we panic before the effort is ever required from us.
What about strength? We are drained and tired because we are trying to handle today and tomorrow at the same time and when tomorrow finally arrives, sometimes yesterday's plans have maggots and they smell. How did Jesus respond to this age old issue?

Matthew 6
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

A friend of mine has adopted this mantra, "As is your day, so shall your strength be." Deut. 33:25

May we walk into this next week knowing we will be tested yet trusting that when we need necessary strength and provisions, God has already provided for that day. Our act of faith is to show up each day where we are expected, living as if we believe he has already done so. Go to sleep, wake up, and repeat.