The Lord Always Provides - The Blessings of Provision

Matthew 6:25–34 NKJV

25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Philippians 4:19 NKJV

19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

The Lord Always Provides - The Blessing of Provision

INTRODUCTION

GOOD MORNING, BELOVED OF GOD. I WANT YOU TO IMAGINE FOR A MOMENT, THE VAST EXPANSE OF THE UNIVERSE. STARS UPON STARS, GALAXIES UPON GALAXIES, ALL CREATED BY THE HAND OF GOD.

YET, IN ALL THAT EXPANSIVE MAJESTY, GOD, YOUR CREATOR, KNOWS YOU. HE KNOWS YOUR NAME, YOUR NEEDS, YOUR WORRIES, YOUR FEARS. AND HE CARES. HE CARES DEEPLY ABOUT YOU.

IN THE WHIRLWIND OF LIFE, WITH ITS TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS, IT'S EASY TO FORGET THIS TRUTH.

WE MAY FEEL LIKE WE'RE ADRIFT ON A STORMY SEA, BATTERED BY THE WAVES OF WORRY, DOUBT, AND FEAR.

BUT LET ME REMIND YOU TODAY, YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN.

YOU ARE HELD IN THE PALM OF GOD'S HAND, AND HE IS YOUR PROVIDER, YOUR PROTECTOR, YOUR EVER-PRESENT HELP IN TIMES OF TROUBLE.

GOD'S UNSEEN PROVISION

IN THE MIDST OF LIFE'S STORMS, IT CAN BE EASY TO LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A HEAVENLY FATHER WHO IS CONSTANTLY PROVIDING FOR US.

WE MAY NOT ALWAYS SEE HIS PROVISION, BUT IT IS THERE NONETHELESS.

JUST AS THE BIRDS OF THE AIR DO NOT WORRY ABOUT WHAT THEY WILL EAT OR DRINK, SO TOO SHOULD WE TRUST IN GOD'S PROVISION.

CONSIDER THE BIRDS.

THEY DO NOT SOW OR REAP OR STORE AWAY IN BARNS, YET THEY ARE FED.

THEY DO NOT WORRY ABOUT WHERE THEIR NEXT MEAL WILL COME FROM.

THEY SIMPLY TRUST THAT IT WILL BE PROVIDED.

THIS IS A POWERFUL ILLUSTRATION OF GOD'S PROVISION.

HE CARES FOR THE BIRDS, AND HE CARES FOR US.

WE ARE MUCH MORE VALUABLE TO HIM THAN THEY ARE.

NOW, THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE SHOULD SIT BACK AND DO NOTHING, EXPECTING GOD TO PROVIDE FOR US.

NO, WE ARE CALLED TO WORK AND TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN US.

BUT IT DOES MEAN THAT WE SHOULD NOT WORRY.

WE SHOULD NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT OUR NEEDS.

WE SHOULD TRUST IN GOD'S PROVISION.

THIS TRUST IS NOT SOMETHING THAT COMES NATURALLY TO US.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE MUST CHOOSE.

AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE MUST PRACTICE.

IT IS A DAILY DECISION TO TRUST IN GOD'S PROVISION, EVEN WHEN WE CANNOT SEE IT.

WHAT WE MUST UNDERSTAND IS THE NATURE OF GOD'S PROVISION.

IT IS NOT ALWAYS WHAT WE EXPECT.

IT MAY NOT ALWAYS COME IN THE FORM WE WANT OR IN THE TIMING WE DESIRE.

BUT IT IS ALWAYS WHAT WE NEED.

GOD KNOWS OUR NEEDS BETTER THAN WE DO.

HE KNOWS WHAT WE NEED TO GROW AND TO FULFILL THE PURPOSE HE HAS FOR US.

SOMETIMES, GOD'S PROVISION COMES IN THE FORM OF A CHALLENGE.

IT MAY COME IN THE FORM OF A TRIAL OR A HARDSHIP.

BUT THESE CHALLENGES ARE NOT MEANT TO HARM US.

THEY ARE MEANT TO GROW US.

THEY ARE MEANT TO SHAPE US AND TO MOLD US INTO THE PEOPLE GOD WANTS US TO BE.

THEY ARE MEANT TO DRAW US CLOSER TO HIM.

Romans 8:28 NKJV

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

WE SHOULD ALSO REMEMBER THE PURPOSE OF GOD'S PROVISION.

IT IS NOT SIMPLY TO MEET OUR PHYSICAL NEEDS.

IT IS NOT SIMPLY TO MAKE OUR LIVES COMFORTABLE OR EASY.

THE PURPOSE OF GOD'S PROVISION IS TO DRAW US CLOSER TO HIM.

IT IS TO DEEPEN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.

IT IS TO INCREASE OUR FAITH AND OUR TRUST IN HIM.

WHEN WE EXPERIENCE GOD'S PROVISION, WHEN WE SEE HIS HAND AT WORK IN OUR LIVES, IT STRENGTHENS OUR FAITH.

IT REMINDS US OF HIS LOVE AND HIS CARE FOR US. IT DRAWS US CLOSER TO HIM.

AND THAT IS THE ULTIMATE PURPOSE OF GOD'S PROVISION.

IT IS NOT ABOUT THE PHYSICAL THINGS WE RECEIVE.

IT IS ABOUT THE SPIRITUAL GROWTH WE EXPERIENCE.

IT IS ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP WE HAVE WITH OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.

SO, AS WE GO THROUGH LIFE, LET US REMEMBER THESE TRUTHS ABOUT GOD'S PROVISION.

LET US REMEMBER THAT IT IS CONSTANT, EVEN WHEN WE CANNOT SEE IT.

LET US REMEMBER THAT IT IS WHAT WE NEED, EVEN WHEN IT IS NOT WHAT WE WANT.

LET US REMEMBER THAT IT COMES FROM GOD'S RICHES IN GLORY, NOT FROM OUR OWN EFFORTS.

AND LET US REMEMBER THAT ITS PURPOSE IS TO DRAW US CLOSER TO GOD, TO DEEPEN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM, AND TO INCREASE OUR FAITH IN HIM.

GOD'S UNFAILING FAITHFULNESS

AS WE CONTINUE TO REFLECT ON THE CHARACTER OF GOD, WE FIND OURSELVES DRAWN TO THE STEADFASTNESS OF HIS FAITHFULNESS.

IT IS AS CONSTANT AS THE RISING AND SETTING OF THE SUN.

IT IS AS SURE AS THE GROUND BENEATH OUR FEET.

WE SEE GOD’S FAITHFULNESS IN THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET ELIJAH…..

WHILE IN A 3 YEAR DROUGHT ……AS A PUNISHMENT BECAUSE OF WICKEDNESS OF KING AHAB AND HIS WIFE JEZEBEL…

THE LORD MADE SURE THAT ELIJAH WAS FED AND HAD WATER…..

THE LORD USED RAVENS TO BRING ELIJAH MEAT AND BREAD IN THE MORNING AND THE EVENING….

AND EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE IN A DROUGHT….THE LORD PROVIDE WATER FROM THE BROOK CHERITH…

IF THE LORD CAN USE A DIRTY BIRD TO FEED HIS SERVANT…. THEN I BELIEVE THAT GOD IS ABLE TO WORK MIRACLES IN YOUR LIFE…..

WE SEE THIS FAITHFULNESS DEMONSTRATED IN THE LIFE OF ABRAHAM.

GOD MADE A COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM, PROMISING TO MAKE HIM THE FATHER OF MANY NATIONS.

DESPITE THE FACT THAT ABRAHAM AND HIS WIFE SARAH WERE WELL BEYOND CHILDBEARING YEARS, GOD REMAINED FAITHFUL TO HIS PROMISE.

IN GENESIS 21:1-2, WE READ, "NOW THE LORD WAS GRACIOUS TO SARAH AS HE HAD SAID, AND THE LORD DID FOR SARAH WHAT HE HAD PROMISED.

SARAH BECAME PREGNANT AND BORE A SON TO ABRAHAM IN HIS OLD AGE, AT THE VERY TIME GOD HAD PROMISED HIM."

IN THIS PASSAGE, WE SEE THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD IN ACTION. HE DID NOT FORGET HIS PROMISE.

HE DID NOT CHANGE HIS MIND. HE DID NOT LET THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF THE SITUATION DETER HIM.

HE WAS FAITHFUL TO HIS WORD.

THE WORD FOR "FAITHFUL" IN THE ORIGINAL HEBREW IS "EMUNAH."

THIS WORD CARRIES A DEPTH OF MEANING THAT GOES BEYOND OUR ENGLISH UNDERSTANDING OF FAITHFULNESS. IT SPEAKS OF RELIABILITY, TRUSTWORTHINESS, AND STEADFASTNESS.

IT IS USED THROUGHOUT THE OLD TESTAMENT TO DESCRIBE THE CHARACTER OF GOD. IN DEUTERONOMY 7:9, IT SAYS, "KNOW THEREFORE THAT THE LORD YOUR GOD IS GOD; HE IS THE FAITHFUL GOD, KEEPING HIS COVENANT OF LOVE TO A THOUSAND GENERATIONS OF THOSE WHO LOVE HIM AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS."

THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD IS ALSO EVIDENT IN THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET DANIEL.

DESPITE BEING TAKEN CAPTIVE AND LIVING IN A FOREIGN LAND, DANIEL REMAINED FAITHFUL TO GOD.

AND IN RETURN, GOD WAS FAITHFUL TO DANIEL.

HE PROTECTED DANIEL IN THE LION'S DEN, AND HE GAVE HIM WISDOM TO INTERPRET THE KING'S DREAMS.

IN DANIEL 6:22, DANIEL SAYS, "MY GOD SENT HIS ANGEL, AND HE SHUT THE MOUTHS OF THE LIONS. THEY HAVE NOT HURT ME, BECAUSE I WAS FOUND INNOCENT IN HIS SIGHT. NOR HAVE I EVER DONE ANY WRONG BEFORE YOU, YOUR MAJESTY."

THIS IS A POWERFUL TESTAMENT TO THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD. EVEN IN THE MIDST OF DANGER AND UNCERTAINTY, GOD WAS THERE, PROTECTING AND PRESERVING DANIEL.

THE NEW TESTAMENT ALSO AFFIRMS THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD.

IN THE BOOK OF HEBREWS, WE READ, "LET US HOLD UNSWERVINGLY TO THE HOPE WE PROFESS, FOR HE WHO PROMISED IS FAITHFUL." (HEBREWS 10:23)

THIS VERSE REMINDS US THAT OUR HOPE IS NOT IN VAIN.

OUR HOPE IS IN THE GOD WHO IS FAITHFUL.

THE GOD WHO KEEPS HIS PROMISES.

THE GOD WHO NEVER FAILS.

IN THE ORIGINAL GREEK, THE WORD FOR "FAITHFUL" IS "PISTOS." THIS WORD IS USED TO DESCRIBE SOMEONE WHO IS TRUSTWORTHY OR RELIABLE. IT IS USED TO DESCRIBE GOD IN 1 CORINTHIANS 1:9, WHICH SAYS, "GOD IS FAITHFUL, WHO HAS CALLED YOU INTO FELLOWSHIP WITH HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD."

THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD IS NOT JUST A CHARACTERISTIC OF GOD. IT IS THE VERY ESSENCE OF WHO HE IS. IT IS THE FOUNDATION OF HIS CHARACTER. IT IS THE REASON WE CAN TRUST HIM, RELY ON HIM, AND PUT OUR HOPE IN HIM.

AS WE REFLECT ON THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD, LET US BE ENCOURAGED. LET US BE STRENGTHENED. LET US BE FILLED WITH HOPE. FOR WE SERVE A GOD WHO IS FAITHFUL. A GOD WHO KEEPS HIS PROMISES. A GOD WHO NEVER FAILS.

GOD'S UNCONDITIONAL CARE

AS WE TURN OUR ATTENTION TO THE THIRD POINT OF OUR DISCUSSION, WE FIND OURSELVES IN THE EMBRACE OF GOD'S UNCONDITIONAL CARE. THIS IS A CARE THAT TRANSCENDS OUR UNDERSTANDING, A CARE THAT IS AS VAST AS THE UNIVERSE AND AS INTIMATE AS A WHISPERED PRAYER. IT IS A CARE THAT IS WOVEN INTO THE VERY FABRIC OF OUR EXISTENCE, A CARE THAT IS BOTH A PROMISE AND A REALITY.

GOD'S UNCONDITIONAL CARE IS A POWERFUL TESTAMENT TO HIS LOVE FOR US. IT IS A LOVE THAT IS NOT CONTINGENT ON OUR ACTIONS OR OUR WORTHINESS. IT IS A LOVE THAT IS NOT DIMINISHED BY OUR FAILURES OR OUR SHORTCOMINGS. IT IS A LOVE THAT IS NOT SWAYED BY OUR DOUBTS OR OUR FEARS. IT IS A LOVE THAT IS STEADFAST, UNWAVERING, AND UNENDING.

IN THE MIDST OF OUR STRUGGLES AND OUR TRIALS, IT IS EASY TO LOSE SIGHT OF THIS LOVE. IT IS EASY TO FEEL ABANDONED, FORGOTTEN, AND ALONE. BUT THE TRUTH IS, WE ARE NEVER ALONE. WE ARE ALWAYS IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD, ALWAYS UNDER HIS WATCHFUL EYE, ALWAYS WITHIN HIS TENDER CARE.

THIS BRINGS US TO OUR FIRST POINT OF FOCUS: GOD'S PROVISION. THE BIBLE IS REPLETE WITH EXAMPLES OF GOD'S PROVISION FOR HIS PEOPLE. FROM THE MANNA IN THE WILDERNESS TO THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND, WE SEE TIME AND AGAIN THAT GOD IS A GOD WHO PROVIDES.

BUT HIS PROVISION IS NOT LIMITED TO PHYSICAL SUSTENANCE. HE ALSO PROVIDES FOR OUR EMOTIONAL, MENTAL, AND SPIRITUAL NEEDS. HE PROVIDES COMFORT IN TIMES OF SORROW, PEACE IN TIMES OF TURMOIL, STRENGTH IN TIMES OF WEAKNESS, AND HOPE IN TIMES OF DESPAIR.

IN THE WORDS OF THE APOSTLE PAUL, "AND MY GOD WILL MEET ALL YOUR NEEDS ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GLORY IN CHRIST JESUS" (PHILIPPIANS 4:19). THIS IS A PROMISE THAT WE CAN HOLD ONTO, A PROMISE THAT WE CAN DEPEND ON, A PROMISE THAT WE CAN TRUST.

A POINT OF FOCUS IS THE NATURE OF GOD'S CARE.

IT IS NOT A CARE THAT IS DISTANT OR DETACHED. IT IS A CARE THAT IS PERSONAL, INTIMATE, AND INVOLVED. IT IS A CARE THAT KNOWS OUR EVERY NEED, OUR EVERY DESIRE, OUR EVERY DREAM. IT IS A CARE THAT UNDERSTANDS OUR EVERY FEAR, OUR EVERY DOUBT, OUR EVERY STRUGGLE.

AS THE CHRISTIAN AUTHOR ONCE WROTE, "GOD, WHO FORESAW YOUR TRIBULATION, HAS SPECIALLY ARMED YOU TO GO THROUGH IT, NOT WITHOUT PAIN BUT WITHOUT STAIN."

THIS IS A POWERFUL REMINDER THAT GOD'S CARE IS NOT JUST ABOUT PROVIDING FOR OUR NEEDS, BUT ALSO ABOUT EQUIPPING US TO FACE OUR CHALLENGES.

WE NEED TO ALSO UNDERSTAND GOD'S CARE.

IT IS NOT A CARE THAT IS LIMITED OR SELECTIVE.

IT IS A CARE THAT IS UNIVERSAL, ENCOMPASSING ALL OF CREATION.

IT IS A CARE THAT EXTENDS TO THE BIRDS OF THE AIR AND THE LILIES OF THE FIELD, A CARE THAT EXTENDS TO EVERY CREATURE GREAT AND SMALL.

THIS IS A CARE THAT ALSO EXTENDS TO US, TO EVERY MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD.

IT IS A CARE THAT DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE BASED ON RACE, GENDER, AGE, OR STATUS.

IT IS A CARE THAT EMBRACES ALL OF HUMANITY, A CARE THAT EMBRACES EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US.

THE RESPONSE TO GOD'S CARE. IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO SIMPLY ACKNOWLEDGE GOD'S CARE.

WE MUST ALSO RESPOND TO IT.

WE MUST RESPOND WITH GRATITUDE, WITH TRUST, WITH OBEDIENCE, AND WITH LOVE.

THIS IS A CALL TO ACTION, A CALL TO LIVE OUR LIVES IN A MANNER THAT REFLECTS OUR AWARENESS OF GOD'S CARE.

IT IS A CALL TO SEEK HIS KINGDOM FIRST, TO LOVE HIM WITH ALL OUR HEART, SOUL, MIND, AND STRENGTH, AND TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR AS OURSELVES.

SO LET US EMBRACE GOD'S UNCONDITIONAL CARE.

LET US TRUST IN HIS PROVISION, RELY ON HIS LOVE, MARVEL AT HIS INVOLVEMENT, AND RESPOND WITH GRATITUDE AND OBEDIENCE.

AND AS WE DO, LET US REMEMBER THAT WE ARE NEVER ALONE, NEVER FORGOTTEN, AND ALWAYS CARED FOR BY OUR LOVING GOD.

CONCLUSION

LET'S REMEMBER THAT OUR GOD, THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE, IS ALSO OUR FATHER WHO KNOWS OUR EVERY NEED.

HE'S NOT A DISTANT GOD, BUT A LOVING FATHER WHO CARES DEEPLY ABOUT EVERY DETAIL OF OUR LIVES.

HIS PROVISION IS UNSEEN, YET IT'S ALWAYS THERE.

HIS FAITHFULNESS IS UNFAILING, EVEN WHEN WE FALTER.

HIS CARE IS UNCONDITIONAL, NO MATTER WHAT WE'VE DONE OR WHERE WE'VE BEEN.

WE'VE BEEN REMINDED TODAY THAT WORRY AND FEAR HAVE NO PLACE IN OUR LIVES.

NOT BECAUSE OUR CIRCUMSTANCES ARE ALWAYS EASY, BUT BECAUSE OUR GOD IS ALWAYS GOOD.

HE'S OUR PROVIDER, OUR PROTECTOR, OUR PEACE.

AND WHEN WE SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, WE CAN TRUST THAT HE WILL TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING ELSE.

SO LET'S NOT ALLOW THE WORRIES OF THIS WORLD TO STEAL OUR JOY OR ROB US OF OUR PEACE.

INSTEAD, LET'S CHOOSE TO TRUST IN OUR GOD WHO LOVES US MORE THAN WE CAN COMPREHEND AND WHO PROMISES TO MEET ALL OUR NEEDS ACCORDING TO HIS GLORIOUS RICHES IN CHRIST JESUS.

I BELIEVE TAMALA MANN SAYS IT WELL IN HER SONG GOD PROVIDES…

God provides, so why do I worry about my life When you come to my rescue a thousand times Every other voice it is a lie God provides

God provides In ways I can't explain and can't deny The little that I have He multiplies Just when I feel He won't show up on time God provides

He'll come through When the clouds of doubt rain down on you And test everything you thought you knew Now you finally see what God can do, for you

So tonight Close your eyes There's no more need to fight Watch God provide

***************************************************************

LET'S PRAY TOGETHER:

DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORD THAT HAS REMINDED US OF YOUR UNFAILING LOVE AND CARE. HELP US TO TRUST IN YOUR PROVISION, TO RELY ON YOUR FAITHFULNESS, AND TO REST IN YOUR CARE. AS WE GO FROM HERE, MAY WE CARRY THE TRUTH OF YOUR WORD IN OUR HEARTS, LIVING OUT OUR FAITH IN A WAY THAT BRINGS GLORY TO YOUR NAME. IN JESUS' NAME, WE PRAY. AMEN.

AND NOW, MAY THE GOD OF PEACE WHO BROUGHT AGAIN FROM THE DEAD OUR LORD JESUS, THE GREAT SHEPHERD OF THE SHEEP, BY THE BLOOD OF THE ETERNAL COVENANT, EQUIP YOU WITH EVERYTHING GOOD THAT YOU MAY DO HIS WILL, WORKING IN US THAT WHICH IS PLEASING IN HIS SIGHT, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, TO WHOM BE GLORY FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.