Food for the hungry

(The Lord) gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The Lord frees the prisoners. ~ Psalm 146:7a (NLT)

“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered.

“Bring them here,” he said. ~ Matthew 14:17-18 (NLT)

Caution!

The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. ~ Genesis 3:6a (NLT)

What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? ~ Luke 9:25 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

Beware, lest you give up the good and healthy gifts of God for a false promise of more.

PRAYER:

Lord, you have already given us so much. But for some reason I'm always wanting more. And that desire clouds my judgment so that I easily fall to temptation. Forgive me for my greed and for how quickly I give in. Please intervene at the first thought that I might become more powerful or controlling. I am going to follow Jesus, the humble self-sacrificing Savior in all these matters. Amen.

As promised

Here is what the Lord has said for all the earth to hear: "Soon I will come to save the city of Zion..." ~ Isaiah 62:11a (CEV)

For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” ~ 2 Corinthians 1:20a (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

God acts as promised. Perhaps he even under promises.

PRAYER:

Faithful Lord, you do what you say you are going to do. That's more than I can say for myself. I intend to follow through -- but things come up. Please help me to stay on task. Because of your focused faithfulness you are my only hope. So I am going to trust in what you have done and are doing through Christ Jesus, my Savior. Amen.

Justice

The Lord replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do.” ~ Psalm 12:5 (NLT)

Won’t God provide justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he be slow to help them? ~ Luke 18:7a (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

God will certainly provide justice to his people -- so I don't have to worry about that.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, thank you for seeing all the wrong that is done to people and for promising justice. I confess that I try to take justice into my own hands or speed it along according to my schedule. Please give me the patience to wait. I know that your timing is perfect and that anything I do on my own will only complicate matters and make things worse. You alone, with your broad divine perspective, have the wisdom to schedule justice. Amen.