OUR PROVIDER

It’s God’s responsibility to provide for those who trust Him.

The story of Job highlights the problem we have with understanding an all-powerful God that allows good people to suffer.  It’s a story about a man who trusts God even when he does not understand what God is doing.

This brings us to a key question for today: do you believe that God is able to meet all of your needs even in the midst of difficult times?  It’s easy to say yes until the difficult and sorrowful moments hit us!  It is in these struggling times that we may say, “yes I know God is able to meet my needs but will He?”  It is in just these kind of struggling moments that God is allowing us the opportunity to reveal our faith in Him.

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Jesus is telling His followers that by first focusing on God and His kingdom; all that we need will be met.  It is easy for us to focus on material blessings, emotional and feel good experiences and bypass that which is most important.

To “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” means that when we by faith obey and trust Him; God in turn is obligated to meet our needs.  As we live our lives focused towards a relationship with Him; He takes on the responsibility of living through us and thereby cares for us through all the problems, challenges and circumstances we face.

But in this relationship as we allow our life to be indwelt by His life; He also takes over the driver’s seat.  In that role He also determines the direction and outcome of our lives.  It becomes His will, His plans, His timing and not ours!  As we bring our needs to Him in prayer we are declaring our faith to trust Him and His ability to provide.

So often I see in the life of Christians as they face challenges and needs; their response rather than turning to God is to do everything in their power to find a way out!  In this way they miss out from discovering what God wanted them to learn!

When Christians don’t get what they want and when they want it, it is also easy to slip into the blame game.  They may blame others or even God.  Then there are those who demand that God provide for them out of their own works. It’s an attitude which says,  “We did this for you God; so now we want you to do this for us.”  This is what I call the Genie in the Bible syndrome.  If we just rub the book the right way, God should give us what we want!

The Christian life should be one in which we have such a complete trust in God as our provider even when it looks like He’s not.  Even when we do not understand our situation or God’s timing.

Consider Moses after he had led the Israelites out of Egypt.  They faced the Red Sea and in hot pursuit was Pharaoh’s army.  The people cried out to Moses complaining that it would have better for them to remain slaves in Egypt than to come out and perish under these circumstances.  The people could not see it, but God had something else in mind.  And “Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.” Exodus 14:13 (NKJV)

God is to be our source for everything we need. As the Apostle Peter tells us,  “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NKJV)  Timing is always in God’s hands.  His timing will always be perfect.  As we place our trust in Him, He will take care of us!

Read: Job 42:7-17