The God Of Every Provision

Introduction: Significance of Providence. Providence occurs because God cares about the universe and everyone in it. All through the centuries of human existence there have been those who took great comfort in the fact of providence. It means realizing at certain places in life that God has been there before. It is the evidence that God has not left this planet alone in the vast universe or forgotten for a moment the human situation. God visits, touches, communicates, controls, and intervenes, coming before and between man and his needs. Providence is ground for thankfulness. (Baker Encyclopedia Of The Bible)

Counterfeit Providence: Fate, Luck, History, Nature, Natural selection...

Have you ever make “provisions” for the next day, upcoming event, vacation, family gathering, holiday, etc.? Now, we make provisions based on what we know to plan for (i.e. number of people, weather, distance, health, etc.), however, none of us really knows what tomorrow will absolutely bring to us. This truth should not bring worry into our hearts, because our Heavenly Father certainly knows what we will face simply because nothing can have passage into our lives unless God sovereignly allows it!

Now, when we think of God’s provisions and providence, our minds always goes to the positive aspect. For instance, if you were lacking money to pay a bill, food to feed your family, etc., we would pray to God for provision. Yes, God does provide the very essentials. However, we are going to learn today that even though God’s provisions do add to our lives, the main reason for them has really nothing to do with us, but everything to do with Him (Example: the exodus)

This message will provide an understanding of God's provisions and that the means of His provisions are not always what we think they will be. No only that, but to also understand that the grand purpose of how living obediently when God directs us to His provisions allows us to experience His power and transforms us to be a shinning light to those who live without the truth.

1) God’s Platform Of Provision (vv1-4)

A. God uses a wicked king

Who brought such a wicked man to the throne?

God brings up kings and he takes them down.

This did not justify the kings wickedness. Ahab was still responsible for his wicked actions.

God will inevitably use the wickedness of a depraved, justice deserving sinner to strengthen and provide for those who are living for His purposes and glory!!!

What if this king came to the throne and committed his wicked sins in a different time in history, what kind of family of the widow would she have? Her child would have died and never be raised from the dead! Elijah would have been shortened the experience of God’s provision and the growth that came from it.

The events of history happened to the right people, at the right time, the right place, for a glorious and divine purpose.

You might say, “God does not care about the finer details of my life.”

B. God teaches a humble prophet

Elijah gives message of judgement; famine.

Famine not only is used for judgement on king, but an instrument for God’s strength to be experience by others.

Elijah experiences the strength of God’s arm.

Elijah goes forward with a greater faith in God’s provision (leaving without question to the widow’s house).

The only way we will experience the power of God’s arm is if we will quite trying to depend solely upon our own.

Elijah grew to understand that when one provision dries up, God has another one waiting for him.

2) God’s Direction To Provision (vv5-16)

A. A unlikely channel of provision

(vv5-6) We see that God provides when everything is in abundance.

At this point, Elijah could have still went to market and bought provisions for himself.God had other plans on how Elijah would be provided for.

(vv7-9) Now that Elijah was witnessed God providing for him in His own way outside of man’s way, he is ready to depend on God in the famine.

If resist trusting God in the days of plenty, you will live in doubt of God’s provision when things become spars.

Elijah was a smart man. He knew if the famine had affected him, it most certainly has done the same to a widow.

God’s direction to His provisions will always be contradictory to your logic.

B. The power of God’s hand

The widow had nothing to give.

God is as much of the God of poverty as He is the God of plenty.

He is sovereign over every condition of man.

God cares just as much about the widow experiencing His provisions as He does the prophet. (God overlooks not one person)

Elijah might have thought the widow will have everything on the table when I get there.

God “commanding” the widow was meant to be that He has placed in her heart obedient to His commands. She feared God.

3) God Provides Through Prayer (vv17-24)

A. The widow’s willingness

God takes things a little bit further.

The widow’s son dies.

God gives life and takes life at a time when it is best useful for our lives and for His service (God uses your life to minister to the lives of others)

Notice where her son was; in her arms!

Every mother would have done the same. Holding them close.

Parents sometimes live in the delusion that the best place for their children is in their hands. PUT THEM IN GOD’S HANDS!

Illustration: I have watched family members literally pull people off the casket where there loved one was laying.The widow had to learn to give God her bread before she was ready to give Him her son.

B. Elijah’s faithful cry to God

When I come to a new challenge in my life, the moments of God’s power of my past comes rushing back to my mind

There is without a doubt, Elijah thought about the brook, the ravens and the miraculous meals they ate for days.

There was no question who’s hands this challenge belonged in; God’s hands!!!

Php 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Question: Why are you not trusting what you are facing today with the one who carried you through what you faced yesterday?

Question: Are you fearful about the outcomes of the present and future? God has done been there and made the best provision for your good and His glory!!!

Conclusion: In the very last verse we see the grand purpose of why God’s children must live in dependency for God’s provisions; that others may see that God is the God of TRUTH!

You will never trust someone’s words if their actions show them untrustworthy!

Your responses to God’s ways with your life will either allow you place lead others to Christ or be a stumbling block.

Are you living Completely Dependent on God for all your needs? More importantly, do others see you living that way?