Make it God's week!

Monday mornings have a terrible reputation. Traditionally, it is the 'back to work' day after the weekend break. Another week stretches out in front of us with work to be done, deadlines to be met. Let me suggest that instead of thinking, "O Lord, it's Monday," with a sigh; that you change that to: "Praise God, it's Monday!" with a song. Commit the week to the Lord, asking Him for wisdom for each task, for strength to carry each burden, and for enthusiasm in each challenge. Instead of dragging yourself toward Friday, choose to live fully in each day, in what God allows for that day.

One of the miracle experiences that God gave to His people when they were making the journey from Egypt to the Promised Land provides a great lesson for those of us who attempt to take on too many days at one time. While the Israelites were in the desert, God fed them each day with a miraculous provision called 'manna.' The name literally means "what is it?" because that was what they said on the first morning that they found the white, flakey stuff lying on the ground in their camp. "It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey." (Exodus 16:31, NIV) Moses instructed them not to hoard it. "Just gather enough for the day and tomorrow God will provide it again." Some of them did not listen and tried to store it. The next day they found it had gone bad and developed a terrible smell! Here's a curious detail. On the day before Sabbath, they could gather two day's provisions and the manna did not spoil! The lesson? Let God be Lord of this day and leave tomorrow to His care.

Sometimes I weary myself and/or grow discouraged by anticipating the work of another day before I have finished this day's work. Jesus says that living for tomorrow is foolish and teaches us to take each day, one at a time, and the bread provided for it. "Give us today our daily bread." (Matthew 6:11, NIV) "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." (Matthew 6:34, The Message) Give us today our daily bread! That short phrase is a way to pray, "Lord, provide what I need to meet the challenges of this day and help me not to borrow sunshine or trouble from tomorrow!"

So, make it God's week! Pray your way through each day. Present your requests with faith that He has an answer. Talk over your concerns and let Him help you solve your problems. Give thanks for what He provides so that you don't become self-centered. Seek His wisdom which He promises to give to those who ask. Weep, if you need to, with Him; for He is a Friend that cares for you. If you do these things, you will arrive at Friday in a much better frame of mind.

Letting the Lord provide for each day keeps us humbly dependent on Him. As proud people and living in a culture of wealth and self-reliance, we resist living from day to day. It is possible to be rich in supplies, yet poor in our relationship with the Spirit. Our Father wants us to know His love, to live at His table, to come often into His Presence. It's Monday! Begin this week with His gracious blessings by taking your needs to Him early and often. Remember He is Yahweh Yireh - "The Lord, Your Provider." (Genesis 22.14)
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