DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
APRIL 8, 2026
READ: Matthew 17 (Focus vs. 24-27)
MEMORY VERSE
“Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin.” Matthew 17:27
BACKGROUND
In 2024, teenager Keegan happily reeled in a two-foot barramundi. But his happiness became elation when his little sister pointed out a tag on the fish.
His catch was worth one million dollars as part of an Australian fishing competition. The annual event had been held since 2015; Keegan was the first to win the coveted top cash prize.
However slim the odds of catching that fish, the odds were far lower that a fish caught at random would have a coin in its mouth. But in Matthew’s gospel, Jesus instructed His disciple Peter to “go to the lake and . . . take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin” (17:27).
The context of this unlikely catch was a question of whether Jesus paid the temple tax (v. 24). The irony of insisting that Jesus—God’s Son—pay a tax to support God’s temple, wasn’t lost on Him. He pointed out that the king’s children don’t pay taxes to the king (vv. 25-26).
But there was no need to “cause offense” and distract others from His teaching by being perceived as a tax evader (v. 27).
So Jesus instructed Peter to catch that fish, which had the exact amount to pay both His and Peter’s tax! Perhaps in part it was a reminder to Peter—and to us—that God is a provider who is always with His children as they follow Him.
Monica La Rose
INSIGHT
The law stipulated that every adult Israelite had to pay a tax to support the temple (Nehemiah 10:32). When Jesus was reminded that this tax was due, He said that just as kings don’t demand tribute from their own children, He—as the Son of God—is exempt.
He’s “greater than the temple” (Matthew 12:6), for the temple belonged to Him. But as a law-abiding Jew, He’d pay the tax so that He wouldn’t be accused of breaking the law and causing others to stumble (17:27; see 11:6).
He then miraculously provided Peter with the needed tax, showing that He’s the Lord of creation and will provide for our needs.
Christ assures us “not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. . . . Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs” (6:25, 32 nlt). As children of God, we can trust Him to provide for our needs.
K.T. Sim
APPLICATION
When have you experienced unlikely events in which you saw God’s hand at work? How does trusting Him free you to live in obedience?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“As children of God, we can trust Him to provide for our needs.”
PR’s TAKE
God’s promises never outlasts His provision. Pr
“Where God guides, God provides” Chuck Smith
God’s Vision always come with (Pro)vision – Anonymous
PRAYER
“Loving God, please help me rest in Your provision as I follow You.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“GOD PROVIDES” Tamela Mann
God provides, so why do I worry about my life
When you come to my rescue a thousand times
Every other voice it is a lie
God provides
God provides
In ways I can’t explain and can’t deny
The little that I have He multiplies
Just when I feel He won’t show up on time
God provides
He’ll come through
When the clouds of doubt rain down on you
And test everything you thought you knew
Now you finally see what God can do, for you
So…
Close your eyes
There’s no more need to fight
Watch God provide
God provides
It’s hard to say when there’s no food to eat
Or what you see feels all that life will be
And will this be another year of misery, for me
But my faith, can’t survive on just things I see
And my feelings can’t control my destiny
…God I only want what you believe, for me
There’s no more need to fight, ooh
Watch God provide
God provides
Yeah, He will provide
God provides…
God provides (before your eyes, He will)
God provides
(Whatever your need, I know that He will provide)
God provides
(Yes, He’ll step right in, in the nick of time, yes He will)
God provides
(He’ll open the windows of Heaven)
God provides
(And pour you out a blessing, you won’t have room to receive)
