02/14/2019
Over the course of our lives we will have many needs and we would like them all fulfilled well in advance so that we will not want, or worry about tomorrow. As human’s we want to fill a storehouse, or receive enough money in our bank account to make it through the toughest years of our lives, but that is not how God provides for us... He wants us to come to Him each day for that day’s provision.
“Then the Lord said to Moses, "Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily."”
Exodus 16:4-5 ESV
There was a young man who lived here in Nashville and his parents were exceptionally wealthy, but they died while he was in his 20s. His inheritance was set up such that he would receive 10s of millions of dollars right away, but the remainder would come later... half when he reached 40 years old, and the rest when he turned 60. First his mother died, and shortly thereafter his father, being older, followed behind her. As promised he received the first installment of his inheritance. This money would easily have provided for him to live comfortably the rest of his life, but immediately he began to spend it. He bought a home larger than his childhood home, a fancy Italian sports car, took lavish trips, bought frivolous items, wore overly expensive clothing, and threw large parties for all his friends. As you might guess, he was broke within a couple of years. He found himself needing food, utilities for his big house, and gas for his fancy car, so he went to ask his friends for help... but he found that they had abandoned him. He lived in poverty for many years. This sounds like a fictional story to prove a scriptural point, but sadly it is true, and stories like this one play themselves out every day somewhere in the world.
God, on the other hand, knows us all too well, and thus His provision for us is day by day... not just so that we won’t squander what we are given, but also because He wants us to live according to His teaching... responsibly, respectably, and righteously. We see this way of provision throughout the Bible.
“...And every day of his life he dined regularly at the king's table, and for his allowance, a regular allowance was given him by the king, according to his daily needs, as long as he lived.”
2 Kings 25:29-30 ESV
We also have the parable of the prodigal Son that teaches us several life lessons, but there are two that seem to stand out. First, we are shown that we are prone to take things that come too easily, and squander them...
“And he said, "There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.”
Luke 15:11-13 ESV
And secondly we are shown that a father still loves his son, even when that son has failed to live up to the father’s expectations, and his fortune is mismanaged, and gone... even so, the father will provide for his son’s daily needs.
“And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”
Luke 15:20 ESV
God not only wants us to depend on him...
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5 ESV
But our depending on his provision is the natural state of our existence. Who among us has put himself on this earth, and gave himself the air to breathe, plants to eat, or animal hides to clothe himself in? We like to think we are independent and self-sufficient, but in even our most basic needs we depend on Him each day.
“for "'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, "'For we are indeed his offspring.'”
Acts 17:28 ESV
So why is it that we continuously ask for an annual, or lifetime stipend when it is God’s will to provide for us day by day? Could it be because we don’t trust Him to do what He has told us He will do, because we are afraid, or maybe it is because we want to usurp His position as the master of our lives... removing Him as the head and installing ourselves? Look at how our Heavenly Father wants to provide for you, and then examine how you are praying, and attempting to live out your life. Are you doing His will?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for my daily provision, and thank you for the faith I have in your Word which tells me this is your will, and the way you desire to keep me close to you. Thank you for your Holy Spirit that reveals your truth, and gives me understanding and insight into your Word. Even as your Son Jesus trusted in your provision, let me trust also. This is the day that you have made, and if I look to you then I will most certainly rejoice and be glad in it. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who gives me each day and all that is in it. Holy are you who loves me enough to provide for me with each new day’s dawning. Praised be your name for the air in my lungs, and all the necessities of life! Let all glory be yours for everything I obediently do in service to your will. Great is your name Father, and greatly to be praised... forevermore.
Rich Forbes