Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread
Isaac Barrow, D. D. Matthew 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread. I. We begin as nature prompteth, with the preservation of our beings and lives; whereby we become capable of receiving and enjoying other good things. II. By doing so, we also imply the sense we have of our total dependence upon God; avowing ourselves to subsist by His care and bounty. (1) Disclaiming all confidence in any other means to maintain or support us; in (2) any store we may have laid up, or (3) estate we pretend to. III. We are taught our duty of being willing continually to rely upon God. (1) We ask not that God would give us at once what may serve us for ever, and put us out of any fear to want hereafter; (2) we ask not for that which may suffice for a long time, for many years, months, or days; but (3) that God would give us to-day, or rather day by day; that is, that He would constantly dispense what is needful for us. IV. We must esteem (1) God's providence our surest estate; (2) God's bounty our best treasure; and (3) God's Fatherly care our most certain and most comfortable support. V. We learn to ask only for so much as shall be fit to maintain us, not for (1) rich or plentiful store; not for (2) full barns nor (3) heaps of treasures, wherewith to pamper ourselves; but for (4) daily bread, a moderate provision then to be dealt to us when we need it. (Isaac Barrow, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Give us this day our daily bread. WEB: Give us today our daily bread.