A Daily Portion

The Bible is beyond profound, packed with eternal significance.  Even historical events are means God utilises to give us a picture of the Christ's power and reality for all who trust in Him today.  Those who approach God in faith find food for their souls in the scriptures.  Last night as a family this truth was confirmed in a passage from 2 Kings 25:27-30:  "Now it came to pass in the thirty-seventh year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, that Evil-Merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison. ²⁸ He spoke kindly to him, and gave him a more prominent seat than those of the kings who were with him in Babylon. ²⁹ So Jehoiachin changed from his prison garments, and he ate bread regularly before the king all the days of his life. ³⁰ And as for his provisions, there was a regular ration given him by the king, a portion for each day, all the days of his life."

Jehoiachin was a king of Judah who was taken captive and incarcerated in Babylon.  In the year Evil-Merodach became king of Babylon, he released Jehoiachin from prison.  Evil-Merodach's reign precipitated Jehoiachin's release, promotion, and provision.  Jehoiachin's prison garments were removed.  He was given new clothes, a place at the king's table, and was given a regular ration of food by the king, "a portion for each day, all the days of his life."  This is a beautiful picture of what happens when Jesus Christ becomes our King set on the throne of our hearts, our LORD and Saviour by faith in Him.

Jehoiachin's release from prison was a direct consequence of Evil-Merodach becoming king.  When the KING of KINGS Jesus Christ becomes our Saviour through the Gospel, we are freed from the oppressive prison of sin and death.  Our filthy garments are removed and we are given white raiment (Rev. 3:5), a robe of righteousness.  No longer need we remain hungry or eat the water or bread of affliction in a dungeon of darkness, for a place at the King's table has been provided us.  In God's presence every Christian can freely dwell and feast on the daily provision supplied by the Bible, God's Word.  Jesus is the Living Bread that came down from heaven, and all who partake of Him by faith will live forever.

Believer, do you realise God has supplied a regular ration of spiritual sustenance from the Bible every single day?  The king of Babylon provided a daily supply of food for Jehoiachin, but the responsibility fell upon Jehoiachin to partake of what his king provided.  He could choose if he wanted to eat the king's food, decide to sulk in his quarters because it wasn't his favourite, or go on a hunger strike to prove a point.  But Jehoiachin was not a fool.  The passage tells us Jehoiachin wisely ate regularly before the king all the days of his life.  The implication is it was good food because the king had compassion on Jehoiachin.  It was food fit for and approved by the king, and his gracious hospitality was an invitation Jehoiachin was blessed to accept.  This is what the Bible provides for all those who trust in God and believe Him.

Psalm 81:10 says, "I am the LORD your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide, and I will fill it."  When we open our mouths wide, God will fill our mouths with wholesome truth which promotes health and life.  But even as God's people grew weary of gathering and eating manna every day in the wilderness, so God's people can grow weary of the discipline of reading and studying God's Word daily.  Let us not grow weary in doing good, for we shall reap if we faint not.  Remember how helpless you were in bondage, and how God lovingly drew you from that pit of sin, fear, and hopelessness.  He has taken away your rags, given you a place at His own table, and supplied a daily provision for you.  Will you accept His hospitality with rejoicing today and every day?  Tomorrow and for all eternity there will be plenty of the King's food on offer to joyfully receive, for His Word endures forever!