Thursday, December 16, 2010

Day Sixteen: The Gift of Provision

John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.

The gift I opened this morning is the gift of provision. As the Scripture states in John 10:10, Jesus has come that we may have an abundant life. Many people interpret this verse to mean that Jesus came to give us eternal life in heaven if we receive him as Savior. That is true – and it will be a glorious eternity! But I also believe it means that we can have an abundant life on earth. God wants to bless his people here as a testimony to His love for us and to His greatness.

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

You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. (The Message)

God is in the business of meeting our needs!

Psalm 138:8
The LORD will perfect that which concerns me.(KJV)

Our needs, wants and concerns make up a part of our lives. But God plainly states that He will supply our needs and He will perfect – “take care of” – those things that concern us. Again, He does this because He loves us and wants to bless us.

This is not to say that the Christian life is free of heartache and trials. If you’ve lived any length of time, you know this. But God still provides what we need because He walks with us through those trials and heartaches. He will lead us, guide our steps and grow us as He teaches us spiritual truths during those times. And He never stops loving us and He never leaves us or forsakes us.

God is concerned with everything we are concerned about; He is concerned with every aspect of our lives. And He will provide all that we need—in good times and in difficult times.

Abba Father, Thank You that You love us so much that our concerns are Your concerns. Thank You that You are the Giver of Life and that You give us life more abundantly. May we never take that life for granted! In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

2 comments:

quietspirit said...

Edwina:
You have used one of my all- time favorite passages. Ps 138:8.
That verse helped me through a difficult time in the late 1970s. I have been led to share that and verse 7 with people over the years. I like the KJV because that's where I found it.

Edwina said...

Celeste,

It is also one of my favorites. I remind myself of God's care by repeating that verse to myself when I have concerns.

Blessings,
Edwina