Provision

There is this great story of God's provision found in the Old Testament. The prophet Elijah was called to confront Ahab, King of Israel, for his worship of the false god Baal, a Canaanite deity of rain and weather, called the "Life-Giver".

God had Elijah go to Ahab and tell him that there would be no rain until Elijah told him it would rain. This was a statement in direct conflict with Ahab's faith in Baal. If Baal was in-charge of rain then who was Elijah, as a servant of the Lord to say it would not rain.

God then told Elijah to go into hiding and in 1 Kings 17 we read these words, Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there."

God tells Elijah, because you are faithful and trust in me, I am going to take care of you. Hide yourself from Ahab and I will provide for you. Though there will not be rain I will provide you with water to drink and I will even send you food. And God provided. Twice a day Elijah received meat and bread.

This story draws me to the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:25-34. In this passage Jesus tells His followers not to worry because God knows and will provide everything you need as long as we "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness"

I discovered this truth first hand when we moved to Pennsylvania. We moved a family of 6 to a place in long term economic collapse to serve in a church that couldn't afford to pay us. Within a couple days in PA I had a job. A job that I kept until God called us to leave.

Now I have moved to Ohio, called by God to launch a new church. Once again God has asked us to trust Him to provide for our needs. This area has seen an 18% unemployment rate over the last year. After being in town for 1 day God has provided me with an interview for a job. I don't share this to draw attention to myself but to the faithfulness of God. God has promised that if we seek Him. (If we place His plans above our own) and His righteousness (If we desire to draw closer to Him in thought, deed, and morality) He will provide.

What is it you are trusting God for today? Are you drawing closer to Him? Are you trusting God's plan for your life?

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~ Jeremiah 29:11