Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
In olden times men relied on their horses. Alexander the Great had a famous horse named Bucephalus, which he trusted. But David's Psalm 33 proclaimed that "no one can rely on his horse to save him, nor for all its power can it be a means of escape" (vs. 17, The Revised English Bible). Bucephalus was not the source of Alexander's military success!
To translate this into modern language, it means that you and I dare not trust the stock market or international economics as our salvation from hunger. Even the best business savvy is "the wisdom of this world [and that] is foolishness with God." "If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. ... 'The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile'" (1 Cor. 3:18-20). This is not to despise sound business wisdom, but the Lord long ago told the prophet Jeremiah the truth that we all need to grasp:
"Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight, says the Lord" (Jer. 9:23, 24).
Our loving heavenly Father has not promised us the wealth of this world, but He has promised to care for us if we will remember reality: "Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? ... He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, ... who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, and shuts his eyes from seeing evil: ... bread will be given him, his water will be sure" (Isa. 33:14-16).
That may not be fancy, gourmet fare; but someday we shall be profoundly thankful for it. It makes the Lord happy when He can see that we appreciate what He provides for us. If it's whole grain bread and vitamin rich vegetables and fruits, we shall be more healthy. Wesley said that "cleanliness is next to godliness." If he were with us today he might add that eating whole grain foods is "next to healthful living." Happiness is trusting the Lord and appreciating all that He does for us!
There is a lesson in grateful living we want to learn now: "Godliness with contentment is great gain. ... And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content" (1 Tim. 6:6-8).
--Robert J. Wieland
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: April 26, 2008.
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