The Coming Promise预览

DAY 6: God Provides. 

A few years ago, my dad and I were taking a walk on his property. He had cut down several trees, so I asked him if I could have some of the wood to build a table for my house. He looked at me and said, "Christian, everything you see is yours because you are my daughter. You don't have to ask me for it."

At that moment, I felt that God showed me that this was an example of His relationship with me. I hesitate to ask, yet He's saying, look at what's yours. I will always provide for your needs.

Philippians 4:19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

I want to clarify the difference between need and want. You need food, but you want a steak dinner. You need a car, but you want a new car. You need clothing, but you want the name brand. 

Philippians 4:19 doesn’t say God will provide all your wants and selfish desires. It says, "my God will meet all your needs." I think we get that confused. We look at what others have and think we need it. We need a list of things that are really "wants." We then get frustrated with God for not providing our needs, but I wonder if they are, "according to the riches of His glory." 

I'm not saying we can't have nice things. I love nice things. I'm saying there is a difference between needs and wants. Nice things don't equal favor. God's favor, God's provision, and everything God does is done to glorify himself, not us. 

Do the things you need give glory to God or yourself?  

Matthew 6:19-21, says “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

When Mary was having Jesus, she needed a place indoors, a place to rest, and a place to lay Jesus. Yes, a palace would have been incredible, but they didn’t need that. Just because the place Jesus was born wasn’t the expected place for a king, it doesn’t mean God didn’t provide. It simply means God provided in a way that looked different than man’s expectation. 

Luke 2:1-7, In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to their town to register. So, Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no guest room available for them.

Jesus was born. What happened next? A star appeared and angels celebrated. The wise men followed the star; the angels told the shepherds the way to meet Jesus. They celebrated and gave gifts to their king. God used people to provide for Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.  

Matthew 2:10-11 says, “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they have come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”

Once again, God provided. 

Has God ever unexpectedly provided for you? Maybe though your friend buying you a meal? Have you ever considered that you are fighting God’s provision when you try to turn it down?

God provides, but you have to receive. Let go of pride and accept what He’s giving you. 

What are you praying for? How are you needing God to provide?