The Lord Will Provide

Waterstones shop window, Bath, UK

For a few days last week, it felt like spring. We didn’t need the heating, and I noticed how much easier it was to walk from room to room, without the constantly cold feet and the icy wind blowing through this drafty old house. Then winter returned, and felt even worse after those few days of respite. My husband mentioned the bills and how now they are coming every two weeks because they are so expensive. (and that’s with really minimal heating use). 

I felt enraged at this ‘cost of living’ crisis where energy companies make record profits, while our bills are at record highs and I suddenly felt a wave of panic. How could we survive in this situation? 

I spent an evening feeling pretty angry, and then the next day, I remembered. God always provides. The Bible is full of reassurance that if we follow God he will meet our needs. “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4.19, and ‘in the days of famine they have abundance’ (Psalm 37). 

We are also meant to have faith and trust God, as ‘whatever is not from faith is sin’ (Romans 14.23). The doubting, the worrying about when the next lot of money is going to come in is lack of trust in God, and it is something we need to repent of and have a change of heart, doing what we can to renew our trust in him. 

It may seem impossible in current circumstances but to the God of heaven and earth, meeting our basic needs is easy. 

The history of humanity is a story of how people have struggled to put their trust and faith in God. Ever since Eve doubted and trusted the serpent for one impulsive moment humans have continued to be led astray, turning their back on God, and going after other things in an attempt to meet their needs, and desires. 

The Israelites wandered off worshipping other gods, seduced by their promises. There’s nothing new under the sun, and now an increasing number of people turn to ‘manifesting’ or witchcraft in an attempt to meet their needs. 

If you go into a high street bookshop you will probably see whole shelves devoted to manifestation, but you may well struggle to locate a Bible. 

God’s just waiting patiently, giving us a bit more time to see if we might trust him. 

As the world gets darker, it’s so important that we live in our Bibles, then we can remember God’s promises, when the world’s fear and manipulation attempts to pull us away. This is a God that can part the red sea, and drop manna down from heaven. When life gets harder, God will meet our needs with miracles. Maybe this is all part of the process, so that other people see what happens, and as many as possible start to believe. 

We can help them to find God by sharing with others how he works in our lives in these dark times. 

‘And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.’ Daniel 12.3