Philippians 4:19

“My God will meet all your needs, according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

The thought of God as provider is one of the most reassuring promises in the Bible. It’s comforting to know that, if the unexpected comes, He is ready and able to care for us. But sometimes, when I approach God as provider, I come to him as if I am also bringing something to the table. “Hey God, I saved up for this thing I need, but I’m a little short. Could you spot me some cash?” The reality is that, when I come to God with a need, I don’t come with anything that he didn’t already give me. This can be a humbling posture – especially in Western culture, where no one wants to show up empty handed. But the truth is that, without God, we are not just “a little short,” we are completely and totally insufficient. The job I have, that pays the bills, is possible because of the education I received. The education was possible because of the mind I have; and the mind I have is sustained by the very air God provides for me to inhale. God is the giver of it all –the job, the education, my mind, the breath I breathe. Everything was created by him and belongs to him; I have it only because He gave it to me.

Of course God doesn’t just provide for our tangible needs. His provision is also for the things we do – the ministry we engage in. We’re eager to bless others, pray with power, see people healed, and witness transformation, but none of us can do that on our own. John 15:5 says that if I abide in Jesus and Jesus in me, I will bear much fruit, but apart from Him, I can do nothing. This reminds me that, although it might feel uncomfortable, my insufficiency isn’t something to overcome, Rather it should compel me to rely all the more on the sufficiency of Jesus – and then delight in giving all the glory to him. So why, then, do I still want to make it about me? Why do I fall so easily into the trap of wanting credit for the ministry I’ve done? How can I avoid the pitfall of wanting kudos and pats on the back?

As we enter into this season of preparation, anticipating the mighty wonders of God’s power in our church family, I feel the Holy Spirit pushing me to seriously contemplate my own insufficiency and commit myself to relying completely on the Holy Spirit. “For it is God who works in me to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13). I want to accept His gracious invitation to be a humble and usable vessel – emptied of myself, purified, and ready to be filled for His purposes.

Listening Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any area in your life where you are too “full of yourself” to receive or recognize His provision. Take time to listen and respond as the Holy Spirit directs.

Prayer: Jehovah Jireh, the God who Provides, I approach you with humility and gratitude for all the ways you meet my needs. As your word reminds me, everything I have is from you, and apart from you, I can do nothing. I repent of my own self-sufficiency and my selfish desire for credit. I commit myself to complete dependence on you. Thank you for inviting me to be a chosen vessel, set apart for You to fill and use as you choose. May you receive ALL the glory. In Jesus name, amen.

Resources: Bible Verses on the God who Provides

Psalm 145:15-16

“The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.”

I Timothy 6:17
“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.”

John 15:5

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

2 Timothy 2:21

“Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”

Worship Songs: