Dearly beloved in Christ,
Greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The needs of man keep on increasing day by day. Recently I was given a sumptuous meal at the house of a servant of God after the worship in a church and individual prayer were over. They had a number of love birds at their house. Those birds were tenderly taken care of by their daughter before her marriage. Now they were taken care of very well by the family. Our God who sees us even at the stage of our formation in the womb does so many wonders on a daily basis. As we are His children, He meets all our needs and provides for us. With His provision and protection, we are able to lead a good life.
1. To Do Away With Poverty
“There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty...” Genesis 45:11
Joseph said these words to his brothers who were afraid of him, to comfort them. When he shared the vision with his brothers, they were jealous of him and hated him. At the age of 17, he pleased his father. His father Jacob sent him to his brothers who were tending the sheep to enquire about them. They conspired together to kill him. They wanted to see how his vision would come true. But the Lord did not give room for them to carry out their plans. “The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to slay him. The LORD will not leave him in his hand,nor condemn him when he is judged.” (Psalm 37:32,33). Thus the Lord saved him. He was taken out of a pit by the work of the Lord. They sold him to the Ishmaelite on their way to Egypt for 20 pieces of silver. They told a lie to their father that they found his multi-coloured coat stained with blood in the wilderness. He was taken to house of Potiphar who bought him and used him as a servant. The Lord was with him and therefore he prospered in all that he did. His master seeing that, promoted him as head over other servants. The Lord blessed his house because of Joseph. Joseph was good-looking and attractive. The wife of his master cast her eyes on him and daily invited him for a sinful act with her. But he would not yield to sinful temptation as it was against God. Thus he preserved his body from sin. One day when he was forced to sin, he ran away from her leaving his clothes with her. On false allegations he was put in a prison. In prison, he interpreted the dream of the cupbearer who was with him in prison and asked him to remember him when he was exalted. According to the interpretation that the Lord gave him, he was restored to his job by the king. He became the king’s cupbearer once again. But Joseph had to wait for thirteen and a half years for him to be exalted. Then the call came from the king who was bewildered by a dream he had. He told him about the prosperity and the famine that were to come to the country and gave the king proper counsel. The king accepted his counsel and found him to be worthy to be placed next to him in the country. Thus he was exalted. He was endowed with the divine characteristics. He called for his father and the families of his brothers and provided for them in the days of famine. Beloved in Christ, Joseph did not hate his brothers who worked wickedly against him, or do anything against them. He loved them and provided for them in the land where he was exalted.
2. No Life of Want
“Forty years You sustained them in the wilderness; they lacked nothing; their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell.” Nehemiah 9:21
The Lord provides for us so that we may not lack anything. Today there are several people living with dire needs shedding tears. When we seek the Lord with the wholeheart, with full strength and soul, the Lord gives us a life of blessings. The Lord lives and is the same today. He does not change. As He has promised, He will supply all our needs to the full measure. Today there are people who work and receive no good pay. They are not able to meet their needs, not able to build a house. They do not enjoy good health. Such people live in tears. When the Lord Jesus Christ has mercy on us, He accepts us with the whole-heart and leads us in all situations in a wonderful way. The Lord loves us and makes us live a life of plenty. He provides for us.
3. To Quench Thirst
“... and he drank from the brook. And it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.”” 1 Kings 17:6-9
Elijah was a man who stood before the Lord God. He proclaimed the words of God to King Ahab saying that there would not be any rain in the land. Accordingly, there was neither rain nor snow. But the Lord fed him during those days of famine. Feeding includes taking care of everything. He spent his days near a riverbed. Afterwards he was fed by a widow and he stayed in her house. Thus he was taken care of. We are also thus taken care of by the Lord when he exalts us. He gives a place to stay in and feeds us with good food. I know a servant of God. He had been living in a hut. When the eldest son of the family got saved and committed to live for the Lord and to pray before the Lord, the Lord exalted him and his other children at all levels. He was then exalted to live in a better rented house for some time. Finally, he began to own a house. Thus the Lord provided for him. When you grow in Him and live in Him, He blesses us with His provisions and protection.
4. In Days of Persecution
“For so it was, while Jezebel massacred the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah had taken one hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty to a cave, and had fed them with bread and water.” 1 Kings 18:4
Obadiah feared the Lord and was in charge of the house of King Ahab. When Jezebel persecuted the prophets of the Lord, he kept them in two caves by fifties and took care of them. The king called this Obadiah to look for any available pastures for the cattle in all the kingdom. He went around and found Elijah and identified him. He wanted to assure himself whether it was he. Then Elijah asked him to inform the king that he had come. Then he informed him of his doubts that the Spirit of the Lord might transport him elsewhere by the time he informed the king. Then he would be put to trouble. He also confided in him how he had protected and provided for a hundred prophets. Then Elijah assured him that he would appear before the king. The king was so informed. Thus Obadiah who was in a high position feared the Lord and protected His prophets.
1. Those Under Good Rule
“And Solomon had twelve governors over all Israel, who provided food for the king and his household; each one made provision for one month of the year.” 1 Kings 4:7
The rule of King Solomon was an excellent one. He possessed the wisdom of God to the full measure to judge his people in their problems. As he loved God and walked in His commandments like his father David, the Lord appeared to him in a dream and asked him what he wanted. He asked for only wisdom to judge the people. It was considered by the Lord as an acceptable one. Therefore, the Lord gave him not only wisdom but also wealth. With the wisdom given to him, he also appointed officers to oversee the nation. With them the people were provided for throughout the year. Beloved in Christ, when there are politicians, leaders and officials filled with wisdom, the land will be well provided for. When the judges are righteous, there would be good administration. There would be joy and happiness in the land.
2. Those Who Are Led By the Lord
“Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, ”Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.”” 1 Kings 17:8,9
Elijah listened to the Lord and did accordingly. We should also have the desire to hear the voice of the Lord and to do accordingly. The sheep hear the voice of the shepherd and follow him. We should also be like that. Today many of us hear only what pleases us. We do not want to listen to others. Many hear the word of the Lord but do not possess the mind to obey it. In their lives they meet with failures, defeats, sorrows and shortcomings. In the Bible we read about Isaiah the prophet who was sanctified by the fire from the altar. Then he heard the voice of the Lord. Small David obeyed the servant of the Lord Eli and responded to the call of the Lord saying, “Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.” He began to hear the voice of the Lord. Once the Spirit of the Lord directed an owner of a company running in profit, which supplied iron beams for building bridges, to sell it. He accordingly sold the company. In a few months there was an inflation resulting in business loss. But he was able to settle all his loans and lead a comfortable life with the money gained. His family was well provided for in the days of recession, as he obeyed the word of the Lord. Dear Brother/ Sister, we should not only hear but also fulfil the words of the Lord. Then we will be well provided for.
3. Those Dependent on the Lord
“Forty years you sustained them in the wilderness; they lacked nothing; their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell.” Nehemiah 9:21
Our Lord is a deliverer. He is the Almighty who said that He would deliver as they believed in Him. Depending upon our faith in Him, He will deliver us from all sorts of problems in our lives. He not only delivers us but also feeds and protects us. Dear child of God, you may be upset that the only earning member of your family has fallen ill. The Son Jesus Christ will truly set you free. Whatever be your problem – bodily one or spiritual one – He will set you free. You may be affected by diabetes. Jesus Christ bore all our weaknesses on the cross. He will heal you and deliver you. He is mighty. The way He leads will perfect your health and joy. Isaiah 30:21 says, “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.”’ If you hear His voice and obey it, you would have good life. You will be supported by His righteous hand and remain protected. He assures us, “I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, and not forsake them. “ (Isaiah 42:16). He is the same today. The Lord Jesus Christ who makes crooked things straight and leads us by the right path is present in our midst. He led the Israelites after delivering them from the bondage of the Egyptians by His mighty act of being a cloud at day time and a pillar of fire at night time. Their clothes did not wear out; nor did their foot get swollen. They were fed with the food of angels, manna. He opened up rocks from which there came springs of water. God will lead us till our death.
4. Those Who Are Poor
“Your congregation dwelt in it; You, O God, provided from Your goodness for the poor.” Psalm 68:10
The Lord God provides for the needy. He never forgets them. “For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now I will arise,” says the LORD; “I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.” (Psalm 12:5). “This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.” (Psalm 34:6). He satisfies the poor with food. It is said, “He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, and He will pay back what he has given.” (Proverbs 19:17). He is strength to the poor. He “Who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners.” (Psalm 146:7). Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” (Luke 19:8). Thus the Lord is concerned about the poor and protects them. Once a minister of the Lord was disturbed that he had nothing for the family and for the expenses of the ministry. He was confused at heart as to how he could get help to meet all his needs from anyone when he himself declared that the Lord is mindful of us and would meet all our needs. But he was sure that the Lord who provided for him thus far would continue to do so. So he went on with his ministry. Surprisingly, a servant of God who had received money from him several years ago returned it that day. All his needs were met. The Lord provided for him and protected him. The Lord who supports the poor would do a miracle in your life too and sustain you in a wonderful way.
5. Those Who Are Faithful
“You have granted me life and favor, and Your care has preserved my spirit.” Job 10:12
Job was certified by God Himself as “blameless and upright.” He lost his wealth and children. He lost his health. He lost the good relationship he had with his wife and was reproached by his very wife. Even when all his miseries abounded, he did not sin with his tongue. Satan worked in all possible ways to make him sin with his lips, but miserably failed. Satan struck him with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. His friends insulted him with words that made him sad. In the midst of this, he said: “You have granted me life and favor, And Your care has preserved my spirit.” Today the Lord Jesus Christ lives. He knows your needs; He has seen your anguish. He will not forsake you. He will never give you up as a poor person. Do you feel desolate that there is none to love you? Dear Brother/ Sister, Jesus Christ who loves you will provide for you and protect you. He is faithful. He is there to lead you and bless you from this very moment. He is one who wipes away tears from all faces. He will meet all your needs and satisfy you to the full measure. Perhaps you have been forsaken by your spouse who loved you very much. Do you feel cheated and want to commit suicide? Dear Brother/ Sister, the Lord Jesus Christ loves you. He will never forsake you. Jesus Christ said: “...the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37). He has borne all your afflictions on the cross. Give room for loving and worshipping Him. He will make everything new. He will lead you in the days of desperation. He will bless you. He will never forsake anyone who comes to Him. He will make everything perfect and bless you.
May the Lord bless us!
In the service of Christ,
Bro. C. Ebenezer Paul.