Two Things...

How many things can we ask for or want? If you are like me, the real answer is more than is good for us. The ideal answer maybe just two things.

Proverbs 30:7-9 "Two things I ask of you, O LORD; do not refuse me before I die: 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.

The Old Testament writer's words are as meaningful today as they were when they were first written. Keep me safe from all falsehoods and lies so that I may neither tell them or spread them, or be affected by them. The world is full of lies, schemes, and plots all cleverly designed to take our eyes off of our gracious God without even knowing it. Protect us Lord from this deceit.

The second request has a familiar sound "give me only my daily bread." One thousand years or so later Jesus would echo the same request. In a day and time with refrigerators, freezers, and drive thru windows overflowing with an abundance of food, much of the impact of this request is lost. In the Old Testament, and in the first century, asking for our daily bread was almost asking for life itself. Jesus seemed to say, today is my focus. Feed me Lord, give me life so I may serve you. Tomorrow, if it ever comes, will find the same request on my lips. Daily bread, not things I will be happy with for a moment, forgiveness, not bigger and more improved version of items I have already discarded, protection in your hands God, this is all I ask.

When I focus on God, I have abundance. When I focus on myself I have lack. Lord, give me my daily bread, give me life, that I may serve you.