My Provider

Meditate: Acts 2:44

See, we know how to pass the orthodoxy test so when we’re asked we all agree that God’s our Provider.

And we all know to nod piously when we hear (say it with me now) “anything we have is only by His mercy and grace.”

But what we do is a better indicator of what we believe than what we say. And what we do, all too often, is make excuses about why we’re not really in a position to be used by God to provide for His Church or His children.

And it’s a short leap from there to tut-tutting about why we can’t even really give right now… Breaks our hearts, you know. Not sure just how we’ll get by on…hmmm, on more than our all-knowing, all-wise, loving Father God saw fit to provide us… (I say “more than God saw fit to provide” because when you trust Him, He’ll show you that it wasn’t really about your resources anyway.)

But the early Church took this very seriously. Clement (a disciple of the original disciples) said, “If any one say that he has seen a just man in want of bread, I answer that it was in some place where there was no other just man.” If we’re really trusting God, if we really believe that He is our Provider, that all the resources of the universe are at His command, and that we can rely on His love and attention, then there’s no real room for doubt or fear. “The Lord will provide.“

I write all this knowing that the people most troubled by these statements will likely be the ones already striving most to trust God in this area. To you I say keep trusting. God is faithful to keep His children.

And I know others, forbidden to give by an unbelieving spouse, who will despair at this. God knows your situation. For as long as it is necessary let your prayers and faith and respect for your husband be your offering. God is faithful.

But there are some, so very thoroughly convinced of your excuses that you don’t listen to Jesus: “Put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.”

• Am I putting God’s work first?

Pray:
Praise: You are righteous. You are the Great and Awesome God.
Confess: I have not listened to Your Word, Your Spirit or Your servants.
Thank: You are merciful and forgiving, even though I have rebelled.
Ask: Fill me with the knowledge of Your will.

Digging Deeper: Matthew 6

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