097. MAT 6:11. DAILY BREAD,

Mat_6:11. Daily Bread,

Give us, this day, our daily bread."’97Mat_6:11.

Consider in this petition,

I. The Blessing sought.

Daily bread, &c.

1. Bread.

The staff of life. What God has promised, "Thy bread shall be given," includes, also, all the necessary temporal blessings that we need. No luxuries; they are not necessary’97not promised’97often injurious’97promote pride, wantonness, forgetfulness of God, &c.

2. Bread daily.

Sufficient for our present need. Anxiety about to-morrow forbidden. We may never see it. If we do, we shall have the same source, and the same petition to present.

3. Bread daily as God’s gift.

All blessings from God are gifts. We are too poor to remunerate him. Besides, he is too rich to be rewarded. God’s blessing makes the toil of the sower successful.

4. Bread daily for us.

Not only for each personally; but for all those united by the same common fraternal bonds of humanity. Let us not forget, that others need these things; and when we seek for ourselves, let us remember them.

Consider,

II. The Principles on which this Prayer rests.

It rests,

1. On man’s utter helplessness and insufficiency.

What can he do independently of God? All his wisdom, and power, and perseverance could not raise a single grain of corn. In nature, as well as in grace, without God we can do nothing. It rests,

2. On God’s sufficiency and beneficence.

He is the fountain of life. "He openeth his band," &c. "Causeth the grass to grow," &c. He hath both ability and willingness. Good to all; tender mercies over all his works; Ps 106., 145., 147. It rests,

3. On that sense of dependence we ought always to cultivate.

It is right that we should feel our dependence; humbly confess it; and that we should affectionately trust in God; lean upon, look to him, for every mercy, &c. Whether we possess little or much, his blessing is essential to a right and happy enjoyment of it. Without it, our food may cherish disease, instead of health; kill, instead of sustaining life.

Consider,

III. The Feelings with which this Petition should be presented.

With,

1. Sincere conviction of our unworthiness.

We do not deserve the least of his mercies. We have forfeited every claim to his goodness. "It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed."

2. With grateful feelings for past supplies.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul," &c. We should reflect upon past mercies, and keep them before our minds, and be devoutly thankful for them. Praise is both right and comely.

3. With cheerful and full confidence in his goodness.

Trusting in him at all times for every blessing; remembering how he clothes the grass’97beautifies the lilies’97feeds the ravens, &c. If your parents being evil, &c.

4. With resolution to devote ourselves to his service.

This he demands, expects; and it is our reasonable service. The only return we can give.

Application

Let the subject, 1. Produce Confidence in God. 2. Teach us Contentment. And, 3. Induce us to seek the Bread of eternal Life.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS