“GOD – THE SUPPLIER OF ALL NEEDS (part2). Philippians: 4:10-22, Ikings 17:1-16, IIKings 4:1-7

In continuation of our God being the supplier of all needs, this week we discovered how Elijah was sent to a widow who was nearly without foodstuffs and was asked to give her last food to Elijah. If she did, God would give her an unfailing provision. The woman overcame her fear, responded in faith, and God was faithful to His promise. (I Kings 17:1-16).

In this story we see a two-way provision. On the one hand Elijah’s need was met. And on the other hand the widow’s need was also met with increased provision and the reviving of her son’s life. God can send anyone to us to supply our needs. He can send a man or woman of God. He can send a man or woman of evil spirit. He can even send our most recent enemy, so we need to be watchful in order to identify when our helps cometh. He would never share His glory with anyone. Most people always associate their help with someone of great wealth, but that be a false move since that person might want to be praised and acknowledged instead of praising the God that make that provision.

God want us to take a step so that he can bless. He often uses us to bless ourselves. In Matthew 17:27, Jesus instructed Peter to go and catch a fish and that inside that fish he would find the money to pay for the tax. Jesus could have easily produce a miracle and produce the cash, but He decided to teach Peter, a fisherman how to take a step in order to met the needs of the disciples.

When we ask something from God we need to be able to ascertain if those things were our NEEDS or our WANTS. Whatever our needs are God will meet them at His own time. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you” (Jeremiah 29:11-12).

In Matthew 6:11 Jesus thought us how to pray for our needs. He bid us to ask for our daily needs. “Give us this day our daily bread”. By "bread" is meant all the necessaries of life, and for the support of it: it is called "our's"; not that we have a right unto it, much less deserve it, but to distinguish it from that of beasts; and because it is what we need, and cannot do without; what is appointed for us by providence, is our's by gift, and possessed by labour. It is said to be "daily" bread, and to be asked for "day by day"; which suggests the uncertainty of life; hence we have to constantly dependence on God; whom we must every day ask to "give" us our daily bread: for he is the sole author of all our mercies; which are all his free gifts; we deserve nothing at his hands: wherefore we ought to be thankful for what we have, without murmuring at his providences, or envying at what he bestows on others.

How many times have you thought: "I wish God would bless me"? Maybe those words came to you when you were asking God to answer a specific prayer or when you sensed some type of adversity approaching. There are many different ways to receive God's blessings, but most often we think of it from a material sense. The people that followed Jesus did the same thing.

After feeding the 5,000, Jesus exposed this materialistic attitude: "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled" (John 6:26). Many followed the Lord in order to receive "something." Their eyes were set on seeing miracles and material provisions. But Jesus wanted them to see Him as the Bread of Life in whom all their needs would be met.

The greatest of all God's blessings has nothing to do with material wealth and social position, and everything to do with the closeness of His presence. This is why He instructed His disciples by saying, "Seek me first... and all these things will be added to you."

Are your eyes set on the Saviour because of what He provides or because you love Him? The test of true love is this - abiding with the One you love regardless of anything else. Learn to love Him and Him alone; then all your cares, needs and even wants will be satisfied

Remain Blessed this week

Reverend Daniels
Founder
True Christian Bible Church