When do we have enough in life? This remains one of the most difficult questions to answer. Deep in our hearts, our human desire cries out: “Just a little bit more …” We live in a world where there are so many things to desire. The whole advertising business was created to induce needs in us for products we don’t really need. When I buy an article of something I truly want, there is work already being done on a younger, better-looking, ego-pleasing model to replace it soon. The goalposts of success and perceived happiness are always shifting further away. We tend to measure our own worth by what we own and we measure our success by comparing ourselves to our peers. If my neighbour has newer, better-looking toys than I do, I feel like a failure. Comparison leads to a never-ending cycle, in which we never attain contentment.

 

Our Lord Jesus came to give us a new life. This new life works on a totally different set of principles from our old life. The world measures a person’s worth by what they own, their address and their toys. We are called to be different. We are the people who have received God’s grace and peace, because we know Jesus Christ as Lord. The foundation of our lives is not what we could buy anymore, but belonging to him who has bought us dearly and who cares for us.

 

The secret to life that Peter shares with us is to trust in the Lord. Our Lord Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:8 that our Father in heaven knows what we need, even before we ask him. He has promised us that all things we need will be given to us when we seek his kingdom first (Matthew 6:33). When we belong to Christ, our focus in life needs to shift. The old person in me is still unhappy about what I cannot possess. The new person in Christ is grateful for what the Lord provides today. Peter promises that God will provide for every need we have to live and to serve the Lord.

 

The Lord does not ask anything from us that he has not provided beforehand. Therefore, the challenge of faith is to trust the Lord for what I need. We also have received the gift of prayer. Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:11 to ask God for our daily bread. And Paul teaches us in Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

 

Today’s verse takes away all our excuses we use to justify why we cannot serve God. It teaches us to live a life of gratitude, for the Lord provides in everything I need to live a godly life.

 

Prayer: Lord, I need your hand of sustenance in my life every day. The world around me has become an expensive place and, sometimes, I lay awake thinking about some accounts I need to pay. Teach me to trust you for everything I need to live a godly life. Teach me to pray for my daily bread. Help me to be grateful for everything I receive, giving thanks to you for every small mercy in my life. Renew my heart, and lead me to a new way of thinking and acting, honouring you in all I do. Amen.