Our Daily Bread | Matthew 6:11

Scripture

• Matthew 6:11

About this sermon

Introduction: We come, now, to a transition in the “Disciple’s Prayer.” It is a highly instructive transition — it is also highly encouraging. When our God speaks to us in Scripture about our temporal needs, He emphasizes His care for us, and our safety in that care. HE LOVES US. WE WILL NEVER BE DISAPPOINTED TO HAVE TRUSTED THAT LOVE. He knows what we need. He knows when we need it. He has all authority and all ability to deliver to us what we need when we need it. He will never be found unfaithful. THAT knowledge informs our prayers, and it gives courage to our hearts. So, as we come to the first petition in this prayer that focuses on our needs, I want share 7 ways that this one request informs our understanding of God’s care of us and encourages our hearts to rest in that care. BEFORE WE SEE THOSE 7 LESSONS, HOWEVER, I WANT TO GIVE A FEW INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THIS REQUEST Once again, we are reminded that though prayer is from our hearts, and that true prayer always reflects our fellowship with God, there is still a logical ORDER to prayer. There is a THEOLOGICAL NECESSITY for that order. It is right that prayer begins with God. It is right that we worship Him and remember who He is before we bring our needs before Him. The very knowledge of the truth of who God is changes the way that we pray. THIS PRAYER MOVES FROM GOD’S GREATNESS TO OUR SMALLNESS Our God is near to us, yet He is unlike us. He is merciful but He is majestic. His name is Holy, and He should always be respected for that holiness. He is a great King who rules over all that He has made, and He has a plan for what He has made, and His will IS to be done, and His will IS CERTAIN TO BE DONE, and we await the day when earth reflects the submission, and the joy, and the worship, that is on display in Heaven at this very moment. That’s the greatness of our God. But what about NOW? And what about US? What about this temporal age? What about this dangerous age? What about the needs of the people of God as the journey on this pilgrimage through a fallen world on their way to the everlasting city? ARE WE GIVEN PERMISSION TO BRING OUR PRESENT NEEDS BEFORE THE ETERNAL GOD? Indeed, we are not only given permission, but God also instructs us to do so. GOD’S GREATNESS IS THAT HE KNOWS US IN OUR SMALLNESS. Even in Job’s pain and suffering, when he wished it were not so, he realized that God took note of him. ESV Job 7:16 I aloathe my life; I would not live forever. bLeave me alone, for my days are ca breath. 17 aWhat is man, that you make so much of him, and that you set your heart on him, 18 avisit him every morning and btest him every moment? David, in a more positive frame of mind, recognized the same astounding truth. ESV Psalm 8:1 To the choirmaster: according to The aGittith.1 A Psalm of David. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your bname in all the earth! You have set your cglory above the heavens. 2 aOut of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established bstrength because of your foes, to still cthe enemy and the avenger. 3 When I alook at your heavens, the work of your bfingers, the moon and the stars, cwhich you have set in place, 4 awhat is man that you are bmindful of him, and cthe son of man that you dcare for him? 5 Yet you have made him a little lower than athe heavenly beings1 and crowned him with bglory and honor. 6 You have given him adominion over the works of your hands; byou have put all things under his feet, 7 all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, 8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. 9 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Here is the wonder of wonders. The God who made all that is, and needs nothing, TAKES NOTE OF OUR DAILY NEEDS.