Submission And Dependence

Submission and Dependence

Matthew 6:10-11, NLT

May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. 11Give us today the food we need.

Setting the Scene

The Jewish people knew the prophecies of a coming Messiah, whom they expected to throw off the nation’s oppressors, defeat her enemies, and restore Israel to her former glory under David and Solomon. God had announced his Kingdom in the covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17:7-8; referenced in Matthew 8:11 and Luke 13:28), and pious Jews were still waiting for it. So most Jews found accepting Jesus as their Messiah to be very difficult because Jesus preached a spiritual kingdom, not an earthly, physical one.

When Jesus told his disciples to pray, “May your Kingdom come soon,” he was referring to God’s spiritual reign, not Israel’s freedom from Rome. To pray, “May your Kingdom come soon,” is to ask that more and more people will enter God’s Kingdom and to ask God to rule in their lives. It also reaffirms belief in the coming of a future Kingdom, when all evil will be destroyed, God will establish the new heaven and earth, and his glory will be known to all the nations (Psalm 110:1; Revelation 21:1).

Saying “May your will be done” acknowledges total submission to God’s rule, praying that God’s perfect purpose will be accomplished in this world (“on earth”) as it already is in heaven.

With submission to God and his rule comes total dependence. The next request regards personal needs and provisions. “Food” refers to food in general, though it could also refer to spiritual nourishment. Notice that we must trust God “today” to provide what he knows we need.

Getting Personal

When have you seen a dramatic instance of God providing for you?

How do you balance depending on God and relying on yourself?

Believers must trust God for provision and not worry. The fact that God provides daily food does not mean we should just sit back, relax, and wait for food (or money) to drop into our laps. We need to work to earn enough to pay for what we eat. Praying for daily food acknowledges that God is Sustainer and Provider. He gives us ability and opportunities to work. He provides.

Talking to God

Thank God specifically for the ways he has been providing for you and for those who depend on you. Don’t hesitate to ask him to provide for you even today.