Daily Manna #1
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Psalm 23:1-3
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Context:
Written by David, drawing from his experience as a shepherd, reflecting on God's tender care.
Commentary | Charles Spurgeon
Each word of these verses bears the weight of profound meaning. The shepherd-king David knew both sides of the metaphor ā the tender care required of a shepherd and the utter dependence of the sheep.
Where do you need the Shepherd's guidance today?
š¤ļø Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
they shall run, and not be weary;
and they shall walk, and not faint.
they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
they shall run, and not be weary;
and they shall walk, and not faint.
Context:
Written to the Jewish exiles in Babylon, when their strength and hope was failing.
Commentary | John Owen
To wait on God is the posture of faith - not passive resignation, but active expectation. Like the eagle's renewed plumage, our strength is molted and restored in His presence.
What new strength might waiting on the Lord bring to you?
āļø Philippians 4:6-7
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing
by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Context:
Written by Paul from prison, teaching the secret of unshakeable peace.
Commentary | John Chrysostom
Prayer is the portal through which anxiety departs and peace enters. Not mere peace, but God's peace ā a peace so profound it transcends human logic.
What anxiety needs to be transformed into peace through prayer today?
š Romans 8:38-39
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers,
nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,
shall be able to separate us from the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers,
nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,
shall be able to separate us from the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Context:
Written as Paul's triumphant declaration of God's unstoppable love.
Commentary | Augustine
Paul lists everything imaginable that might separate us from God's love, only to declare them all powerless against the bond of divine love.
What circumstance has made you question God's love lately?
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Lamentations 3:22-23
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed,
because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning:
great is thy faithfulness.
because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning:
great is thy faithfulness.
Context:
Written amid Jerusalem's ruins, finding hope in God's character when all else was lost.
Commentary | Richard Sibbes
Like the manna in the wilderness, God's mercy comes fresh each dawn. Yesterday's mercy was for yesterday's burdens; today's mercy is for today's needs.
How have you experienced God's fresh mercies this morning?