'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — May 3

It is the Lord who bestows upon us freely and graciously the good things of this life. He is interested in the common mercies we enjoy. God gives them since he is the absolute Lord of heaven and earth. All is God's, and the blessings we enjoy are on loan from him. He is the great landlord who has leased them to the sons of men. God has given the earth for us to occupy and enjoy, but also gives a particular allotment for each man's portion. These things do not come by chance, by the gift of others, or by our own industry, but by the peculiar designation of God's providence. Whatever avenue they come, by donation, purchase, labour, or by inheritance, they were sent by God. He directed the means to get them to us. The hearts of men are in the hand of God, and it was God that prompted them to be kind to us and become instruments of his providence to nourish us. God bestows his blessings by his providence and by his covenant promises. God's providence extends to all men. Even the wicked enjoy possessions of his common bounty. But God bestows his covenant blessings only to believers. What little a righteous man has with the Lord is better than the treasures of many wicked. It is seasoned with God's love, and is better than the bounty of wicked men. Contentment is also one of God's blessings we should ask for when we pray. Bread provides our need, but our enjoyment of it is also his blessing. Happiness does not lie in abundance, but in the suitableness of our mind to our estate (Luke 12:15). There is a twofold war in man: the war between a man and his conscience which breeds trouble of mind, and a war between his affections and his condition which breeds murmuring and envious grumbling. So, pray for contentment also when you pray, 'Give us this day our daily bread.'

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Devotional Readings 'Voices From The Past Vol.1.'
Thomas Manton, Works, I:149-154
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.