Several weeks ago, in sharing prayer points on Monday, I referenced John Piper’s list of “What Should We Pray For.”[1]
In headlining Matthew 6:11, “Give us this day our daily bread,” he wrote:
Pray that God would supply his troops with necessities.
I value his use of the word “troops” as it is easy to limit “daily bread” simply our everyday physical nutrition. But with the designation of troops, it opens an entirely new supply line for our spiritual battles and the understanding that some necessities have already been provided for—we just need to accept them in the day of need.
Notice in David’s battle hymn of thanksgiving a recognition of the needed sustenance: “For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? -- the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze” (Psalms 18:31-34).
“Before David picked up his bow of bronze; he secured himself in the Lord. God became his refuge, his stronghold, his high tower;”[2] that is, David not only recognized the Lord’s provision, but he also consumed those necessities.
See both the past and present tense penned by the warrior:
equipped me—that He has given us everything we need
made my way blameless—an understanding of grace
made my feet like a deer—empowered me to the utmost
set me secure on the heights—brought into His stronghold
He trains my hands to war—then he prepares me
Let today be a day of “daily bread” in that we see the supply chain of His provision, savor its goodness, and feast on His supply!
[1] https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-should-we-pray-for
[2] Francis Frangipane, This Day We Fight! Breaking the Bondage of a Passive Spirit, Fourth printing, September 2005 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Chosen Books, 2005). Page 19.
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