God's Provision

Chuckle: "Long ago when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Today it's called golf." --Will Rogers

Quote: "Let us make God the beginning and end of our love, for he is the fountain from which all good things flow and into him alone they flow back. Let him therefore be the beginning of our love." --Richard Rolle

And God said, "Look! I have given you the seed-bearing plants throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. And I have given all the grasses and other green plants to the animals and birds for their food" (Genesis 1:29-30 NLT).

I think it wise to revisit the creation Scriptures, from time to time, and contemplate God's power, love, and grace. When thinking about God's provision for us, I'm reminded that a newborn baby is totally dependent upon parents for all the necessities for survival, growth, and development. The baby must receive both physical and emotional nourishment along with warmth and shelter to mature normally and live a healthy and happy life.

As a baby is dependent upon his parents, God created us to be dependent upon Him for our needs. All of creation was designed around mankind and God gave us everything we would need. Not only has God provided for our needs, but He has given us the responsibility to manage, protect, preserve and generally care for what He has provided.

The problem with some of us is that we have had so much for so long that we no longer are concerned about our needs, but focus on our selfish wants and desires -- the luxuries of life. Notice in our passage how God provided for the food needs for humans and the animals. We often view our wants as needs and wonder why God doesn't keep His promise to provide all our needs. Where God's provision does go far beyond our physical necessities is when He lavishes on us His love, grace, and forgiveness.

One name for God is Jehovah-Jireh, which mean the Lord who provides. God provides based upon our dependence upon Him. Anything God gives us above and beyond our basic needs is evidence of God's grace and desire that we be happy as we love and serve Him. Jesus said, "Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern" (Matthew 6:32b-33 NLT).

To make God's kingdom first in your life means that you put God first in every aspect of your life, to make His thoughts your thoughts, His desires your desires, your character like His, and to serve Him in everything we do. As we focus on God and His kingdom, we avoid letting our concern for "other" things bump God out of first place, and we no longer worry about, or take for granted, God's provision.

Love, Jerry & Dotse