Provision

Good Friday morning! Providence, provision, we read about it and hear about it, but what and how much is it? To the world providence can come from good luck, such as winning the lottery. To us, providence comes from Providence, but we often say Divine Providence now because someone went and named a city by that same name. No doubt there is an interesting story behind that place in Rhode Island, but it can confuse the issue at times. We are interested here in the benevolent guidance of God and in His provision for our needs. The root of provision is provide, and to provide is to make ready beforehand, to make available or to supply someone with something, according to my copy of Webster's dictionary. When we look to God for our needs, we believe in His provision.

The first definition, to make ready beforehand, is now used rarely if this dictionary is to be believed. However, I think we may use it more than we think. Imagine that beside the path Jesus would lead us along in this life that God has already set everything we need at stops along the way. We don't have to worry for this or that future need because God has provided for us beforehand. We would say that He has provisioned the path. Imagine how quickly an army could conquer if their supply bases were set up ahead of the advance. Of course those supplies would be set up in what is enemy-held territory, which would be rather foolish. In a way though, God's supplies for our future needs are set up in territory the Devil now holds. The money you need to pay that invoice in 2013 may now be held by a very worldly bank or corporation. When the time arrives, you will find that God has prepared the way for you to earn or perhaps be given that money you need. How much or how little might be up to each of us.

How big is your God? Is He the Almighty, or have you limited Him to small thoughts of you own making? We tend to think that God will provide only just enough at the last possible moment, and this may be true in many cases. On the other hand, God is also the same God who parted the Red Sea, made water flow from a rock in the desert, and raised Lazarus from the grave to name a few examples of His great power. Jesus could have raised Lazarus after a few minutes, perhaps even as much as 90 minutes, but instead He waited four days. God may indeed send the cavalry over the hill at the last possible moment, but then again, He may provide much more than we need with plenty of time to spare. Faith comes in letting God decide when and how much is best for each of us in meeting our needs. For some of us, too much provision over and above our needs is to leave us open to temptation. We are the advance unit of the army that finds the supply dump and picks out all the good MRE's. Others have learned to be responsible with God's provision and God trusts them to handle more. We are those who take God's provision and give back the first fruits of our gain to the Lord, praising Him, thanking Him, and enjoying His provision.

Have a fruitful day in Christ!
Bucky