God’s caring for us leads Him to provide for us. But is that all? This daily devotional looks at how God provides what is needed in His creation.
Nuggets
- Sovereign God is Creator of the universe.
- God will provide for us what we need.
- God will withhold His provision when we are disobedient.
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Devotions in the Finding Our Center series
The working title for this devotion was providential and caring. Then I waffled to just providential. Now, I am back.
None of the verses addressed caring. I was hard enough to find verses discussing providential.
The reason I left caring in was that had to be the foundation of providential.
Let’s Put It into Context #1
Here is a running list of what we’ve discussed previously.
Let’s Put It into Context #2
I am not really one to go with Wikipedia, but I like their dual definition of providence as an attribute of God. They wrote, “While the providence of God usually refers to his activity in the world, it also implies his care for the universe, and is thus an attribute.”
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We like to focus God’s care on us. God cares for and sustains everything in our lives. God also cares for and sustains the universe.
God Cares for the Universe
“Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things” (Ac. 17: 25 CSB)
Sovereign God is Creator of the universe.
You see it. God created it.
You don’t see it. God created it.
The way the Scriptures say it is “the God who made the world and everything in it — he is Lord of heaven and earth …” (Ac. 17: 24 CSB).
God made everything.
Paul was speaking to the citizens of Athens. They had an altar for an unknown god.
Paul was contrasting this unknown god — who in reality was Jehovah God — with their idols. An idol is an object of worship in any form that is below God that takes from God the worship that is His due.
I thought it was interesting that Morris said, “The idol was supposed to be a needy, dependent being, fed by the hands of man.”
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The contrast of the idol being fed and Sovereign God not dependent on mankind is huge. Mankind had to do everything for the idol.
God doesn’t need a relationship with us. He wants a relationship with us.
I wonder is that is the way people want it, though. If they have to do everything for the idol, doesn’t that make them god? Well, at least in their mind it probably does.
Paul was making the point, “What could anyone possibly do for the One Who created the universe?” How can we possibly think He needs us to walk alongside to help pick up the slack?
How can God give life to everything? He can because He is alive. Unlike the idols who are just made of wood and stone, God is a Living Being.
God provides a life by giving us breath. He gives us the ability to breathe and the air to breathe.
It was never in God’s plan to create us and the universe and leave us to our own designs. He always intended to implement the Plan of Salvation so that we might be restored to Him.
God Cares for Us
“Consider the ravens: They don’t sow or reap; they don’t have a storeroom or a barn; yet God feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than the birds? Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying? If then you’re not able to do even a little thing, why worry about the rest? “Consider how the wildflowers grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these. If that’s how God clothes the grass, which is in the field today and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will he do for you — you of little faith?” (Lk. 12: 24-28 CSB)
God will provide for us what we need.
When we think of God providing for us, we generally think of Him giving us what we need.
God gives us life. He gives us homes and jobs in order to afford those homes. He gives us food and clothing along with a myriad of other items.
It is in God’s nature to be a giving God. This shows us the capacity He has to love us, which is also an attribute.
The problem I ran into is that most of the sermons — and there are pages and pages of sermons — generally talk about what we are supposed to learn from the passage. For example, Wright wrote, “There are three virtues which Jesus was endeavouring to teach when He told His disciples to consider the lilies. They are, contentment, obedience, humility.”
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Good stuff. Not our discussion.
They don’t talk about this being an attribute. When they do talk about it, they talk about being providence, not providential.
Whyte wrote, “But the immediate aim of Christ in this most exquisite passage is to lead us all to trust ourselves and all that concerns us to the Fatherly providence of Almighty God.”
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Ooo, baby. Did you notice that the quote said we had to trust ourselves, too? To me, that means we have to be totally onboard with our decision to make God our Sovereign God.
Yes, we have to trust that God will provide for our needs and wants. McCosh said that the grounds that choice must be made one are that God loves us so much more than those things discussed.
God loves us more than the birds and the bees and the flowers and the trees. Every last one of them.
If God is going to take care of the lilies of the field, He is going to take care of us. Martin wrote, “God does not provide for us according to the rigid rule of that which is necessary. He adds to that which is necessary that which is pleasant to the senses and agreeable to the soul. The cup of supply is not only filled, it runs over.”
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God is going to take care of us because it is His nature to provide for us. His provisions will be made out of His love, so that we will know that they are best for us.
God Can Give and Take Away
“I also withheld the rain from you while there were still three months until harvest. I sent rain on one city but no rain on another. One field received rain while a field with no rain withered. Two or three cities staggered to another city to drink water but were not satisfied, yet you did not return to me. This is the Lord’s declaration. I struck you with blight and mildew; the locust devoured your many gardens and vineyards, your fig trees and olive trees, yet you did not return to me. This is the Lord’s declaration. I sent plagues like those of Egypt; I killed your young men with the sword, along with your captured horses. I caused the stench of your camp to fill your nostrils, yet you did not return to me. This is the Lord’s declaration. I overthrew some of you as I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were like a burning stick snatched from a fire, yet you did not return to me — This is the Lord’s declaration. Therefore, Israel, that is what I will do to you, and since I will do that to you, Israel, prepare to meet your God!" (Amos 4: 7-12 CSB)
God will withhold His provision when we are disobedient.
I know. It felt good when we were talking about the good stuff God gives us.
It doesn’t feel so good when we are disobedient and receive punishment, does it?
The first thing I got out of these verses was it was God’s decision and He was making it abundantly clear. He will not tolerate sin.
God will pass judgment to correct us. The whole purpose of the Sanctification Road is to get us to be more like God.
We can’t delude ourselves into thinking that, since God is a loving God, He is not going to hold us accountable.
We have to remember that an attribute that God posses is wrath.
God has also told us what to expect. Tyng wrote, “The second advent is, for all who live now, a future event; and it will be for the full salvation of His people, for the universal judgment of the world, and for the final settlement of His glorious and ever. lasting kingdom. How far removed this day is neither men nor angels know.”
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Making the Connections
We have to keep God’s provision in perspective. We are not entitled to anything He gives us. We don’t even deserve it.
God provides for us because of His unfailing love. That is just Who He is.
How Do We Apply This?
- Cast our cares on Him.
- Diligently work daily on our appointed tasks for Him.
- Repent and believe.
- Simply trust God.
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Since we know God will provide, that gives us a great confidence that we can do this. We can do whatever God calls us to do.
Father God. We are humbled by the blessings You bestow on us. You provide us all that we need. Forgive us when we get selfish and begging to start feeling entitled. Help us to keep our focus on You. Amen.
What do you think?
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