When our shoes wear out what do we do?
We buy another pair! Unless like me, you have a small foot which limits your selection. Then replacing a worn-out pair of shoes isn’t so easy. So, what do I do? I save my shoes. I saved one pair for ten years, went to wear them again and they had rotted! However, when God is providing, the story is different.
GOD’S PROVISION!
SHOES & CLOTHING?
Our shoes may not last 10 years, but the Israelites shoes and clothing lasted 40 years!
And I have led you forty years in the wilderness.
Your clothes have not worn out on you,
and your sandals have not worn out on your feet,
Deuteronomy 29:5
Think about that miracle!
Dirty clothes and shoes wear out faster and their ‘s were caked with desert dust! Did God do dry cleaning? What about sizes? People certainly didn’t stay the same size for 40 years. Did their clothing expand and contract as the person’s size changed?
God provided for the Israelites
and He will provide for us.
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;
and yet I say to you,
even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these….
how much more will He clothe you—you of little faith!
Luke 12:27,28
FOOD
How did the Israelites eat without a grocery store? They had God’s delivery service for 40 years!
Then the Lord said to Moses,
“Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you.
And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day”….
“At twilight you shall eat meat,
and in the morning you shall be filled with bread.”
Exodus 16:4, 12
There was another hungry group who was no where near a grocery store. Five thousand men plus women and children followed Jesus up a mountain. The only food around was a lad’s five barley loaves and two small fish. So, what did Jesus do?
And Jesus took the loaves,
and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples,
and the disciples to those sitting down;
and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted,
John 6:11
There were even leftovers!
Therefore, they gathered them up,
and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves
which were left over by those who had eaten,
John 6:13
Like food was provided for the Israelites and the 5,000,
Jesus will provide for us too.
Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap,
which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them.
Of how much more value are you than the birds?
Luke 12:24
MONEY
Is your money being sucked up as soon as you get it? It doesn’t matter whether we need clothes, shoes, food, money or anything else, we can have faith that God will provide for us.
And my God shall supply ALL your need
according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus,
Philippians 4:19
HOW DO WE RECEIVE GOD’S PROVISION?
1. SEEK JESUS
Worried about provision? Jesus wants to exchange our worries for peace, (1 Peter 5:7). When we seek Him and let Him guide us, everything else falls into place.
And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink,
nor have an anxious mind.
For all these things the nations of the world seek after,
and your Father knows that you need these things.
But seek the kingdom of God,
and all these things shall be added to you,
Luke 12: 29-31.
2. FAITH
Faith can seem illogical when God’s wisdom and ways don’t mesh with the worlds.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God,
1 Corinthians 3:19a
What would the world tell the lad to do?
Wouldn’t worldly wisdom tell the lad to hold on to his lunch so that he wouldn’t go hungry? It took faith for him to give up his 5 loaves and 2 fish. What did he receive in return? Perhaps joy in being part of a miracle. In fact, considering that there were leftovers, the hungry lad may have eaten more food than he gave up.
3. OBEDIENCE
We may not always understand why God instructs us to do things, especially when it defies the world’s wisdom, (Isaiah 55:9). Yet, obedience to Him brings blessings.
The world would say, “Hold onto your money!”
God says:
One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
A generous person will prosper;
whoever refreshes others will be refreshed,
Proverbs 11:24-25 NIV
How can you give when you don’t have much?
God knows what you have, what He wants you to give and what He wants to give you. God is generous. Open the door to His blessings by asking Him what He wants you to give. Then follow His directions in faith and obedience to receive His blessings.
Honor the Lord with your possessions,
And with the first fruits of all your increase;
So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine,
Proverbs 3:9-10
REFLECTION
What is God asking you to give?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, as I write Proverbs 3:9-10 and say it aloud, increase my faith to give joyfully and obediently. Thank you in advance for meeting my needs. In Jesus name. Amen.
OUR FAITH IN JESUS
IS REWARDED WITH PROVISION
Comment!
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*For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/
Photo shoes, Gia Oris
Photo grocery, vlad frolov
Photo money, rc-xyz-nft
