Give me only my daily bread

"Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God." Proverbs 30:8,9

Yuta Shitara, 26, didn't win the Tokyo Marathon on February 25, but he did run fast enough (2:06:11) to take second and set a new Japanese record (previous record of 2:06:16 was set in 2002). And for his efforts, Shitara went home 100 million yen richer. That's $934,457 wealthier in US dollars. The prize was given based on a project by the Japan Industrial Track and Field Association aimed at bolstering athletes in the run-up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics by rewarding a runner who sets a new Japanese record.  That amount of money should certainly keep him comfortable for a while. Don't you think? 

And when it comes money, Agur son of Jakeh, the writer of Proverbs 30, wisely asked the Lord to give him "neither poverty nor riches” but only his “daily bread." Agur somehow knew that wealth would tempt him to become prideful, or to boast in his own efforts, thus denying God the glory for his success. But he also knew that being poor would tempt him to doubt God’s ability to provide and so drive him to “steal" those things he needed. Either way, Agur knew that trusting God to give him only what he needed - nothing more and nothing less - was the best way for him to stay content and focused on Him each and every day. 

So may you and I, like Agur, be content with having only our "daily bread" - wanting nothing more and nothing less - that we too might stay focused on the Lord. After all, shouldn't that be our greatest concern? And how much do we really need anyway?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise that You will provide those things that we need. Help us to trust You to fulfill that promise that we might not be fearful or discouraged. Most of all Lord, help us to discern our wants from our needs that we might be content and grateful for what is provided. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

God provides - Tamela Mann

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GNktMWrB74