Early in my faith walk I was driving in Northern California’s beautiful mountain country alongside a roaring and magnificent river that had towering trees hugging the river’s edge and shooting toward the heavens. They were lush, verdant, and shimmering with each glint of sunlight that landed on their broad shoulders. As the road began to veer away from the life-giving water, the landscape began a dramatic color change that transformed the trees from green to brown.
God taught me then that we need to park every day next to God’s river of life and pray for provision.
“They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” Psalm 1:3
God’s provision resides in his river of living water. But we must spend time there to drink it in and experience the supernatural powers of his nourishment.
Doing that begins and ends with God’s never-ending and always-magnificent GRACE. Grace for the past. Grace for today. And grace for tomorrow. NO MATTER what our circumstances might be—full or empty, up or down, rich or poor, healthy or diseased—God provides if we put our faith in Christ.
“My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
God’s provision does not always show up in the way we expect or hope. The challenge for believers is to see that his provision is limitless. But at the same time we must accept that it may be different than we expected or desired.
GOD’S PROVISION is a matter of FOCUS. Are we focused on what we WANT him to give us or WHO he is and what that means to our trust in his provision?
Our life is brief and brittle, especially when it careens through a heavy fog of perpetual tension. God does not always provide and care for us in ways we might expect in this life. That’s why we must pray for provision every step of the way and trust him for the results
I ask God to help me transfer all of my current burdens to him with full confidence and trust in his power and provision. To keep me from grumbling over his unexpected ways. To draw me closer and closer to him and his river of life-giving water.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
When was the last time you spent time down by the river?
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8
