Our Daily Bread
God is able to do everything, for nothing is impossible with God.
But then He does not just do anything. Some things happen and some do not. Some he allows, and some he forbids.
So how then do we ask of God in things to happen?
For example we all need food and all that is necessary in life. And Jesus have taught us to pray to God to give us our daily bread. But God can make this bread happen for us in many ways, from manna in the desert, to opening a job opportunity, to even winning a lottery. How then do we know which specific way our bread is coming to us?
What then do we specifically seek of God in things we prayed for? And why should we do that in the first place, for could we not just ask for our bread and wait for it to happen in any way that God makes it happen, and simply to rejoice and give thanks?
Well firstly we need to know and recognise the hand and works of God, that he has made it happened. We need to hear the voice of God, for instance, to know how to collect manna. So even if when we first asked, we have no idea how is it to happen, we eventually need to know when it happens.
And secondly to know this we must understand God, namely in coming into knowledge of WHY he allows this and not that thing to happen.
And this reason is that which reveals God, and makes God known, not only to us, but also to all others who are affected by the things that happened to us. And this reason is also consistent with and reveals God's will, His purpose and His plans, not only for earth, but for heaven too.
And this was how Jesus taught us to pray too. For before we pray for our daily bread, we are taught to pray that the kingdom of God comes and that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
So our need for our bread is a means, a vehicle by which the greater design of God is fulfilled.
And thus we pray and ask only in the will of God.
posted by Espion @ 11:07 am
7 comments
7 Comments:
I don't think it is ever God's will for a Christian to buy lottery.
u sure about that? Maybe u reread the story of Samson again ...
Really? I will do that and we continue our discussion in a couple of days.
Sorry unable to see the connection. Perhaps u can explain. Thanks.
Well for a start consider the following questions:
1. How do you know what is and what is not in God's will?
2. If you say God's will is expressed in his Laws, then tell me what are these Laws, or laws?
3. Samson was under the Law, yet what he did, such as marrying a Philistine, seeking prostitutes, dishonouring his parents, etc etc were clearly breaches of the Law. But it was clear that Samson was doing God's will and he was counted as one of the giants of faith (See Hebrew 11).
4. Is there only one will for everyone? Or rather, just as we are individuals, each uniquely fashioned (See Ps 139), and no two persons, even twins, are alike - and not even two pieces of rock are alike - and each destined or predestined for God's purpose, would not the will of God for each individual be just as different?
Give me your email and we can discuss further if you wish or if you have answers to the above thought provoking questions.
Thank you for your explanation. However, I must say I don’t quite agree
1) Knowing God’s will.
Of course it is possible to know God’s will; otherwise it would be unfair for our Lord to say in Matt 7:21 that, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven”.
I am referring to the major doctrines and not minor issues relating to Christian liberty – what to wear, eat, etc.
2) How to know God’s will
Hebrews 1:1,2 says;
"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son ..."
Meaning that in the Old Testament days, God often spoke to His people via the prophets, through dreams and visions etc. But these days, God speaks to us mainly through the Lord Jesus Christ, who in John 1 was referred to as the Word. Also Col 4:3 says that “in (Christ) are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”. Hence, God speaks to us mainly through the bible. And if we want to know the will of God, we need to search the scriptures daily and pray often for the Holy Spirit’s illumination.
So we have something the OT prophets don’t have; we have the completed Word of God – all 66 books and 1,100 chapters. The trouble with us modern Christians (and I am speaking for myself here) is that we are too lazy and spend too little time studying God’s word, or are too distracted by the things of the world which ‘choke’ the word in our hearts (the parable of the sower) hence we fail to let His word be a “lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path”.
3) Samson
As for this man, he was obviously rebellious to God’s will for his life. But, please don’t confuse God’s sovereignty with man’s accountability. Please don’t think for a moment that, when he was messing around with prostitutes, he is praying “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. The same applies to Joseph’s wicked brothers who beat him up, sold him as a slave and then lied to their father; or Jonah who went in the opposite direction to the where God clearly told him to go. When we sin and rebel against God, we are accountable; but God is still in control. Hence, Joseph said to his brothers in Gen 45:5 & 8; “God did send me before you to preserve life … So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God ..”.
Can Joseph’s brothers then say; Oh then it was alright for us to beat you half to death etc. because we were simply doing God’s will? No - because in Gen 50:20, Joseph told them; “Fear not: for am I in the place of God? (to judge you that is). But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”
God is sovereign and in total control of everything that goes on in this planet. Hence, it is a testimony to His greatness that in spite of men’s sin and rebellion, He is able to accomplish His will in our lives. But as the same time, men are accountable for their actions. It is very difficult for our sinful, finite minds to grasp this seemingly contradictory logic. But God’s thoughts are higher than ours, and his ways higher that ours - so all we can do is to marvel at His mysterious ways and praise Him for His wisdom.
By the way, Samson is not a good role model for the young man. In fact he suffered terribly for his sins. But he did repent at the end, and hence his name is in Heb 11. Daniel is a much better role model but strangely he is not mentioned in Heb 11.
PS – I hope you don’t mind if we continue the discussion here. Who knows, some other Christians reading your blog may want to join the discussion.
Thanks and God bless.
I am not talking theory or theology or doctrines - "major or minor" - here.
And neither am I looking for biblical answers or quotes but rather real life experiences, and that is what this blog is for.
So how did you know the will of God?
Can you speak in terms of real experiences in life? For surely you must have known - or not - the specific will of God for you at some specific points in your life so far.
So what did you hear of God?
And no matter how seemingly wise some "doctrine" may sound, if it does not bear out in life, and especially if life contradicts it, then I am unjustified to believe that "doctrine".
What's true is true always, for all times and all things. You need only one false instance or experience to falsify everything that claims to be true.
And as for Samson, I do not think it is "obvious" that he is "rebellious". For have you not read this:
Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. When he returned, he said to his father and mother, "I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife."
His father and mother replied, "Isn't there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?"
But Samson said to his father, "Get her for me. She's the right one for me." (His parents did not know that this was from the LORD, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel.) [Jud 14:1-4]
Indeed God is mysterious.
And not everyone in the world has a bible, and for those who have, not all educated enough to read, and even less to fully understand.
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