GOD PROVIDES
“Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” Matthew 6:26
A couple of the most thought provoking scriptures concerning God’s provision is found in Deuteronomy 8:2-5; 10-11 in which God tells his people, the Israelites:
“And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD, thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep His commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LOR doth man live. Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy food swell, these forty years. Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee ” …… vs 10-11”When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day…..”
The story of the Israelites during their 40-years in the Sinai desert is invaluable because it reminds us that God disciplines us for our own good by allowing us to experience what feels like lack, or He presses us to the edge of our need so we are dependent on him for help and provision. In this, we discover His love, His faithfulness, and that He is our true Source.
This passage is also a reminder that without struggle we can become entitled, ungrateful and forgetful about the origin of our provision. We may somehow think that our goodness has earned us blessings, our hard work has granted us favor, and we can become complacent about our trust in the Lord.
But when trials precede blessings, we’re more likely to recognize the Source of our blessing. We become more grateful for the blessings we’ve received—and we no longer think we earned them. We know they came from God’s hand; we fool ourselves if we think they have come from our own.
The humility that comes from being forced to cry out for the Lord is a good thing, even though we’d really rather avoid it. Even though it’s often been uncomfortable, in my own life, the times when I have been forced to rely on His care have been some of the most spiritually fruitful times of my earthly journey, and they have also been the times when I have grown the most in character and faith.
No matter what material possessions we attain, the wisdom and humility that come from learning to trust and rely on God are priceless.
Are you currently going through a time during which you have to trust God for your provision? Just as He was with the Israelites, He will be faithful to you. He will care for you. This is not the end of your story.
“But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
Prayer
Lord, right now things feel uncertain and I am afraid. I don’t know how I am going to make ends meet. I don’t know how you will provide but I know you will care for my needs because I am your child and you are my faithful father.
Application
Make a list of you need and pray over each one. Place the list somewhere you can see it. Then, when the answer comes, write down the date next to the prayer. Keep this Prayer Poster where you can see it for the next several months. Remember to praise God as He provides.
Related Reading
Hebrews 13:5; Luke 12:24; Matthew 6:33
