08/13/2019
Who do we look to for our sustenance? Who feeds us body, and soul? We are inclined to think that we are fed by the sweat of our brow, or by the application of our wits, but these are just the ways in which we gather up what God has provided for us... this is our part in the gift and the gathering that the Word of God describes.
“These all look to you, to give them their food in due season. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things. When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.”
Psalms 104:27-29 ESV
Everything in our lives, including the breath we breathe is made possible by the Lord. This was easy for those who lived predominantly in an agrarian society to understand, but in today’s world which is more urban, and suburban, we have successfully separated ourselves from the reality of what sustains us. We live in brick homes, and don’t stop to realize that those bricks are clay and water, or we live in wooden homes, and see only the lumber and not the trees. Everything comes back to the handiwork of God. Even when we take communion...
“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."”
1 Corinthians 11:23-25 ESV
Jesus offered the elements of communion to His disciples, but what he gave them was bread, which was wheat (the bounty of the field), and water. While the wine He served them in remembrance of His blood consisted of fermented grapes (the fruit of the vine), yeast, and water. Everything is made of basic ingredients provided by God, and manipulated by man. Did you see the word “man” incorporated in the word manipulated? God provides, and man merely massages, cooks, or recombines, then claims himself to be the creator. Psalm 104 dispels the fairytale that man chooses to live, in a most dramatic and poetic manner.
“He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters; he makes the clouds his chariot; he rides on the wings of the wind; he makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire. He set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be moved.”
Psalms 104:3-5 ESV
When we open our eyes, and see the world in all of its glory, as a true gift from God, which it most certainly is, then our pride, and conceit, give way to humility, and humble thankfulness... as well it should.
“From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work. You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man's heart.”
Psalms 104:13-15 ESV
So the Lord molds, and sustains His creation then He feeds and waters every creature which resides there. None of our recipes, inventions, or landscape altering construction, can hold a candle to God’s smallest accomplishments, or most insignificant miracles. We marvel at the manna with which he fed the Israelites in the desert, but how does this compare to the fields of grain He germinates, and waters to feed the world?
“Then 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. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily."”
Exodus 16:4-5 ESV
Do we pass the test? Do we gather more than we need? How wasteful have we become? So, just as we realize the reality of God’s provision, we should also come to grips with what we need to frugally consume in our day. Are we ready to make that adjustment, or has our greed become the symbol of our existence?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the marvel of your creation, and the graciousness of your provision. Teach us Lord to consume what we need to survive, even when it is the survival, through the bread and wine of communion, of our precious memory of your Son Jesus. By your kindness we are provided for, so increase our appreciation of your gifts by avoiding our wastefulness. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who covers the world in crops, and raw materials. Great are you for instilling in us a deep seated creativity, and inspiring us in it. Gracious are you in your bounty, and amazing is the variety and expanse of your offerings. Body, mind, and spirit you provide for us, and all glory is yours. Our cup overflows with drink, and grace, our mouths are filled with bread, and wetted with wine and living water. Your glory is unsurpassed, it is worthy, and we will sing it’s praises forevermore.
“I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.”
Psalms 104:33 ESV
Rich Forbes