Citizens

The Provision of God

Philippians 4:10–20 (ESV)

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

We can rest in the provision of God when we see him in his full light.

God is sovereign in all things.

Irresistible

Isaiah 43:11–13 ESV

I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior. I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and I am God. Also henceforth I am he; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?”

God owes us nothing and yet gives us everything.

Would we want a cheap grace, or a grace that is overpowering?

Through the work of the Gospel, believers experience a perfect showing of who God is. His love is perfect and irresistible. We would do well to focus on this and walk in this.

We would do well to not focus on the negative things of the world. We have a perfect God Who is capable to do all things.

Righteous

Psalm 145:16–19 ESV

You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.

God is righteous in all aspects of his being and his works are righteous.

“God’s love does not love that which is worthy of being loved, but it creates that which is worthy of being loved.” Martin Luther

Why would God in his irresistible and righteous love want to have anything to do with us?

Gracious

Psalm 25:8–10 (ESV)

Good and upright is the Lord;

therefore he instructs sinners in the way.

He leads the humble in what is right,

and teaches the humble his way.

All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,

for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

His provisions are given in love and are more gracious than we can fathom.

I feel myself to be a lump of unworthiness, a mass of corruption, and a heap of sin, apart from His Mighty love.” Charles Spurgeon

Psalm 2 (ESV)

Why do the nations rage

and the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth set themselves,

and the rulers take counsel together,

against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,

“Let us burst their bonds apart

and cast away their cords from us.”

He who sits in the heavens laughs;

the Lord holds them in derision.

Then he will speak to them in his wrath,

and terrify them in his fury, saying,

“As for me, I have set my King

on Zion, my holy hill.”

I will tell of the decree:

The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;

today I have begotten you.

Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,

and the ends of the earth your possession.

You shall break them with a rod of iron

and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

Now therefore, O kings, be wise;

be warned, O rulers of the earth.

Serve the Lord with fear,

and rejoice with trembling.

Kiss the Son,

lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,

for his wrath is quickly kindled.

Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

To be blessed is not predicated on our works or righteousness. Our blessed standing depends on where we take refuge.

We do best when we rest in his irresistible, righteous, gracious provisions.