Tag: Daily Bread

Give Bread to the LORD

There is some literal as well as figurative meaning in the giving of bread to the LORD. This morning I am still in the book of Exodus as I study the word “bread”. In this morning’s passage I am looking at the Israelite “Contributions for the Tabernacle” as it is titled in my bible. Moses brought God’s command to provide for the building of the tabernacle. Everything was to be given from the metal (gold, silver, bronze…), fabric, jewels, craftsman skill, to the bread on the table.

Moses outlined all that was to be brought freely for the building of the tabernacle to the LORD. This is the givings of the figurative bread to the LORD. The people were to share of their blessings back to the LORD who provided those blessings to them. They were blessed with gold, and silver and bronze, jewels, and skills and Moses commanded them from the LORD to give back to the LORD. Aren’t we to do the same with our offerings to the LORD. I have been blessed from the LORD to have what I have and it is only right that I give a portion of that back to Him as an offering to the LORD for Him to do with and provide for others.

And now to speak of the literal bread given back. The people were to provide the bread for the table in the tabernacle. They were to ensure that the table of the LORD was properly provisioned with the bread. Fresh bread daily for the LORD as provided by the people of the LORD.

“13the table with its poles and all its utensils, and the bread of the Presence;” — Exodus 35:13 (ESV)

Now for me in today’s world, there may not be a need to provide the bread for the LORD, but the need for bread is still there. I can and should not just be providing the monetary blessings that God has given, but I should also be providing the blessings of nourishment. It is “easy” to give money to a cause or project. There is little work in writing a check. But providing with food creates more ownership in the work being done for the LORD. It is one thing to provide a gift card for the homeless, but to make them a meal and serve it to them is more involved in the provision. Even buying and bringing is more meaningful.

I can remember many times I have seen someone begging for money on the side of the road. One time in particular, I had just come from a fast food joint where for some reason I bought an extra item that I really did not need (but was going to eat anyway). I came across the person begging for money and I gave them my extra item instead. The look of shear amazement on their face for providing for their immediate need and giving something of myself was fantastic. I was blessed more so and it is so much more memorable that if I would have simply given them $2-3.00.

I have been called to make contributions of bread to the LORD. Some of those contributions are monetary in nature and some are more personal for the giver and the receiver. I can and should be giving of all the blessings from the LORD. Whether those blessings are of metal, jewels, skills, or even of the sustenance value attributed to the actual bread.

What have you been giving to the LORD? Are you simply writing the checks? What if you were to give of the physical and more literally fulfilling to others?

The LORD Hears and Provides

I believe it is pretty well known and accepted that the LORD provides for our needs. He knows what it is and then provides to satisfy those needs according to His plan. He will not allow us to go without provision. And yet, He will listen to us even in our time of complaint.

“9Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘Say to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, “Come near before the LORD, for he has heard your grumbling.”’” – Exodus 16:9 (ESV)

This is certainly demonstrating that the LORD is truly listening to our everything. He hears all that we are presenting. Whether positive or negative, know the LORD is hearing. I have to remember that all of my communication with the LORD is just what He wants from me. He want to hear from me and He wants to have the relationship with me. I have to bring all to Him and He will hear and how it fits into His plan will provide.

In the above scenario, the LORD was providing for the people of Israel, yet they were still not satisfied and He could hear their “grumbling” and complaints. And so what does the LORD do, he provides in the way that only He could do so.

“4Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.’” – Exodus 16:4 (ESV)

The LORD was literally providing daily bread for the people of Israel. Each morning there would be, on the ground the bread they would need for the day and then, as in the passage, it would expire and new would be provided the following day. The LORD had heard the people’s cries and provided for the need they had, daily.

Too often, there is a sense of despair in the minds of man. We tend to be dependent on ourselves for our needs when we should be lifting our needs to the LORD knowing that He will provide for them in His way. I have to remember not to tell the LORD how to, only ask Him to do so, knowing that He will provide in the way that is in line with His plan for me.

It is fully okay to speak with the LORD and let Him know of our petition. He will provide in His way for the needs we have. I have to remember not to put up guardrails for God to work within. I have to allow Him to work in His way and not mine. I have to know that the LORD will provide for my needs even when I seem to complain about the perceived lack coming from Him.

What complaints do you have for the LORD? Are you letting Him know and having that conversation with Him about those complaints? What if you did so and allowed Him to provide for your needs in the way that He does even to satisfy your complaints and “grumbling”?