Daily Devotional
The Lord Will Provide
Text: Philippians 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Message
A hymn that draws inspiration from biblical themes of God’s provision and faithfulness, particularly the promises of God’s care and support during difficult times is “ The Lord will provide” SS&S hymn 13. The hymn was written by John Newton (1725-1807), he was born into a home with one Christian parent, but his godly mother died when he was seven, and he joined his father at sea when he was eleven. Disappointing repeatedly at the plans of his father, he was flogged as a deserter from the navy, and for fifteen months lived, half-starved and ill-treated by a slave trader in West Africa. After his escape, he became the captain of a slave ship, which on one adventure to the sea, he nearly drowned when the ship wrecked. After that incident, one would think he has changed for good, but he went back to his vomit, not until he came under the influence of George Whitefield, John and Charles Wesley and began to study for the ministry. He was ordained in the Church of England and served in Olney, where he wrote many hymns including “Amazing Grace”.
This hymn reminds us that as Christians no matter the situation, trials and tribulations we find ourselves, our faith should remain intact, that He will provide a means of escape for us.
Stanza 1
Though troubles assail us and dangers affright, though friends should all fail us and foes all unite,
Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide, the Scripture assures us, “The Lord will provide.”
The scripture does not say as Christians we will not face trials and persecution Matt. 24:9, 2 Timothy 3:12, Luke 21:12-17. We will surely face persecution, dangers will come at us, friends and family members will even fail, insult and mock us but with Jesus our faith is secured and the word of God backs up our faith that The Lord will provide. Isaiah 41:10 says we should not be afraid for He will strengthen and uphold us with His Righteous Hand for He is Our God.
Stanza 2
The birds, without barns or storehouse, are fed; from them let us learn to trust God for our bread.
His saints what is fitting shall ne’er be denied, so long as ’tis written, “The Lord will provide.”
As a child of God, you should not be anxious about tomorrow because God has supplied all you need before you came to this world, even in the beginning of creation, God provided all man will need before he created man. The Bible talks about God supplying all our needs, even the birds in the sky, the animals in the wild that can not speak and ask for things God always provides what they need, how much more you a human created in His Image! will He not provide for you? As Christians let us learn to trust in God’s provision and that which is befitting for us shall never be denied for God does not go back on His Promises and Word. Matt. 6:26, Phil. 4:19
Stanza 3
His call we obey, like Abram of old, not knowing our way; but faith makes us bold.
For though we are strangers, we have a good Guide; and trust in all dangers “ The Lord will provide”
We all have a call to obey in total obedience not half obedience, we say we are the children of Abram, but can we say of a truth we have obeyed God like Abram did? Leaving his family, his people, his comfort zone to a place, he does not know. Not knowing his way or what was ahead of him but he made up his mind to follow God in total obedience, trusting in the promises of God for his life, can we say our faith makes us bold? Does our faith sometimes not shake? Do we not think that our faith has failed us?
My beloved brethren, it may seem like even when you are in total obedience to God, that your faith has failed you, that God has forsaken us, but we should know and remember that Faith does not fail but only delivers on God’s value at His appointed time, it may delay according to the knowledge of man but remember His Time and His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts.
Stanza 4
No strength of our own, or goodness we claim; yet, since we have known.
The Savior’s great name, in this our strong tower for safety we hide; Almighty His power, “The Lord will provide.”
The Scripture says our strength will fail us, and if we think it is by our power and might then we are aiming for destruction, Psalm 73:26. Or is it the goodness we think we have done for humanity that qualifies us? But the Bible says even our righteousness is like a filthy rag before God. Scripture assures us that the name of Our Lord Savior is our strong tower and our safety is in Him, those who run to him are saved. Proverbs 18:10
Conclusion
As Believers do we have Faith in God that no matter the situation or challenges of life, God is working it out for us, do we trust completely in God? Even though it may seem as if God has forgotten us, He has the bigger picture, He is your Potter, and no good thing will he withhold from his children. Remember your faith will be tested and there are PROCESSES before your settlement comes, only those who pass the exam can move to the next class.
Your faith sometimes shakes not because you are weak but because you have been strong for a long time but it is now left for you to press forward, be courageous and keep trusting in the promises of God for your life. Whenever, Wherever situation of life comes your way, remember Christ has overcome for us, he has given us Victory and The Lord will Provide. Amen.