Gimel - Supply, Carry

Introduction

In ancient time when a traveler set out on a journey through the desert, he knew that his life depended on his crossing paths with caravans often enough to keep him supplied with at least food and water. Whenever he spotted one on the horizon, he would go to it and barter with the merchants for the things he needed. Tonight as we study the third letter of the Hebrew alphabet the “Gimel” we ask the Lord for our supply. The Symbol for the “Gimel” is the camel, which was by means of the caravans the supply line of ancient cities. These caravans would be like our modern day trucking lines. These caravans were the life line to the cities they supplied. Any disruption of these channels was a serious blow to the local economy. As a believer, we have a supply-line that cannot be disrupted by any condition other than our refusal to receive and utilize the provisions of God. This means that no believer under any circumstances will ever lack super-abundant supply to achieve the plan and purpose of God in that given situation.

1 Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

Gimel - Psalm 119:17-24 The LORD is my Supply ג

Bountifully (vv.17-18) The word means to “bestow, do good, reward” someone. Even though our captive is under the most extreme difficulties, he knows that God is not at all hindered from giving him abundant spiritual supply. This young captive asks for and expects illumination, “wondrous things out of thy law.” The soul that is fixated on the material things of life will never have enough, while the soul focused on spiritual and eternal riches will always have an abundance.

Longing (vv.19-20) Just as the people would scan the horizon looking for the joyful coming of the supply caravan, so our captive awaits the sure and certain supply of God’s amazing grace. This is especially true in view of the captive’s words in (v.19), “I am a stranger.” Like our captive we too are strangers in this world, for our citizenship is in Heaven. Those who are followers of Jesus will surely face scorn and mockery from those who are the enemies of God.

Counselors (vv.21-24) As children of God we certainly live in a hostile world. The caravans of old brought not only spices, foods, and goods from afar, they also transported slaves. Remember Joseph was carried into Egypt by a caravan after his brothers sold him into slavery. Like slaves of the ancient world, we who belong to Christ are looked on with scorn and contempt. How is it possible for us to answer the taunts of the enemies of the cross? We answer, by the endless supply of living water from the Word of God, which becomes our personal and private tutor, and the Holy Spirit as our guide (John 14:17). As we receive God’s Word to meet our own needs, so it becomes our answer to those who challenge the truth of the Good News that is found in the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ!

New Testament Confirmation

Provision - Jesus said, He is the bread and water of life. He is our supply. God has promised to meet every need of His own children.

Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:”

Matthew 7:11 “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”

God determines our needs according to His plan and purpose for us and not according to our wants. He will never fail to meet the needs of our spiritual life.

Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

2. Protection - Jesus said, He is the good shepherd. He gave His life for the sheep protecting them from all danger.

3. Perception - Because we are in the world but we are not of the world, our greatest need is for the guiding and teaching ministry of His Holy Spirit

John 16:13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

If we are spiritually attentive, we will see that God’s supply is always above and beyond what we need.

Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”