God Provides
December 10, 2013
God Provides!
For there is a time and a way for everything, although man’s
trouble lies heavy on
him. Ecclesiastes 8:6
trouble lies heavy on
him. Ecclesiastes 8:6
Where is the laughter in life? Where is that anticipation in life that
seemed to come from the recesses of my heart in an ever-flowing stream? This is too much. I had just learned that the damage of brain
tumor, that his life is tenuous. I
listened for his voice over the phone, held by his wife; it is all that
connects us. I heard a deep intake of
breath and his voice came strong, “Hi, Mom, Hi, Dad.” What was the cost of that gift of
greeting? He fell asleep, soon after.
seemed to come from the recesses of my heart in an ever-flowing stream? This is too much. I had just learned that the damage of brain
tumor, that his life is tenuous. I
listened for his voice over the phone, held by his wife; it is all that
connects us. I heard a deep intake of
breath and his voice came strong, “Hi, Mom, Hi, Dad.” What was the cost of that gift of
greeting? He fell asleep, soon after.
Where is the answer to our prayer? What happens when a prayer for healing is not
answered? Isn’t there some kind of unwritten
law that a parent must die before their child can die? My mind is a jumble of questions.
answered? Isn’t there some kind of unwritten
law that a parent must die before their child can die? My mind is a jumble of questions.
Several years ago, in a RCC Bible Study we
discussed with surprise an answered prayer.
Then one of the ladies, in a quiet voice said, “Isn’t that what we
prayed for? Why is it a surprise?” Our doubt and unbelief lay revealed on the
table before us in that small room, rebuking us.
discussed with surprise an answered prayer.
Then one of the ladies, in a quiet voice said, “Isn’t that what we
prayed for? Why is it a surprise?” Our doubt and unbelief lay revealed on the
table before us in that small room, rebuking us.
Several days ago, my friend taught a Bible Study
from II Corinthians 12:1-10, concerning the Apostle Paul who prayed three times
to God to remove the ‘thorn’ from his flesh. An unanswered prayer reveals the working of
God to answer in a more all-encompassing God-Way. This revelation gave me hope and peace and a
readiness to accept God’s answer that my finite mind cannot fathom. Trusting is
not always easy.
from II Corinthians 12:1-10, concerning the Apostle Paul who prayed three times
to God to remove the ‘thorn’ from his flesh. An unanswered prayer reveals the working of
God to answer in a more all-encompassing God-Way. This revelation gave me hope and peace and a
readiness to accept God’s answer that my finite mind cannot fathom. Trusting is
not always easy.
Now I am faced with the reality that the God’s
answer may not include my deepest desire, the life of our son – through a
miracle that only God can provide.
answer may not include my deepest desire, the life of our son – through a
miracle that only God can provide.
It is
then that I remember a dear friend had sent a book of devotions for the Advent
of Christmas that very day. I opened it
to Day 7, and found the title – “God
Provides” – with the Old Testament story of Abraham, ready to sacrifice his
son on Mount Moriah. When Isaac asked
where the sacrificial lamb is, Abraham answered – “God will provide.” Learning to trust God as Abraham did, is a
moment by moment, step by step process that lasts a life time.
then that I remember a dear friend had sent a book of devotions for the Advent
of Christmas that very day. I opened it
to Day 7, and found the title – “God
Provides” – with the Old Testament story of Abraham, ready to sacrifice his
son on Mount Moriah. When Isaac asked
where the sacrificial lamb is, Abraham answered – “God will provide.” Learning to trust God as Abraham did, is a
moment by moment, step by step process that lasts a life time.
In her thorough fashion, Ann Voskamp brings home
the deeper message of those three words – “God will provide.” Jehovah Jireh.
the deeper message of those three words – “God will provide.” Jehovah Jireh.
Ann writes, “Worry is belief goes wrong. Because you don’t believe that God will get
it right. Peace is belief that
exhales. In the thin air of Advent you
may not even know how to say it out loud: ‘I thought it would be easier’. And your God comes near; ‘I will provide the way.’ You may not even know
who to tell ‘I thought it would be
different’. And God draws close: ‘I will provide grace for the gaps.’ You
may not even know how to find words for it: ‘I thought I would be …More.’ And
your God reaches out: ‘I will provide Me’.
it right. Peace is belief that
exhales. In the thin air of Advent you
may not even know how to say it out loud: ‘I thought it would be easier’. And your God comes near; ‘I will provide the way.’ You may not even know
who to tell ‘I thought it would be
different’. And God draws close: ‘I will provide grace for the gaps.’ You
may not even know how to find words for it: ‘I thought I would be …More.’ And
your God reaches out: ‘I will provide Me’.
Ann continues, “God gives God. That is the gift
God always ultimately gives. Because
nothing is greater and we have no greater need, God gives God. God gives God,
and we only need to slow long enough to unwrap the greatest Gift with our time:
time in His Word, time in His presence, time at His feet.”
God always ultimately gives. Because
nothing is greater and we have no greater need, God gives God. God gives God,
and we only need to slow long enough to unwrap the greatest Gift with our time:
time in His Word, time in His presence, time at His feet.”
Romans 8:32 – He
who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not
also with him graciously give us all things?
who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not
also with him graciously give us all things?
Even as Abraham named the place of his testing on
Mount Moriah, The Lord will Provide,
we call where we live, the moment we live and learning about God, Our place – of Provision. We call our home – The Lord Will Provide – Jehovah Jireh!
Mount Moriah, The Lord will Provide,
we call where we live, the moment we live and learning about God, Our place – of Provision. We call our home – The Lord Will Provide – Jehovah Jireh!
To Provide means ‘to
see’ and God sees and He will always see to the matter. The act of God’s seeing means God acts. (Thank you, Ann Voskamp, for your words in: “The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love
Story of Christmas”
see’ and God sees and He will always see to the matter. The act of God’s seeing means God acts. (Thank you, Ann Voskamp, for your words in: “The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love
Story of Christmas”
Trust in the Lord,
and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Psalm 37:3
and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Psalm 37:3
From “Streams in the Desert” by
L.B. Cowman:
L.B. Cowman:
There is a
peace that springs soon after sorrow
Of hope
surrendered, not of hope fullfilled;
A peace
that does not look upon tomorrow
But calmly
on the storm that it has stilled.
peace that springs soon after sorrow
Of hope
surrendered, not of hope fullfilled;
A peace
that does not look upon tomorrow
But calmly
on the storm that it has stilled.
A peace
that lives not now in joy’s excesses,
Nor in the
happy life of love secure;
But in the
unerring strength the heart possesses,
Of
conflicts won while learning to endure.
that lives not now in joy’s excesses,
Nor in the
happy life of love secure;
But in the
unerring strength the heart possesses,
Of
conflicts won while learning to endure.
A peace
there is, in sacrifice secluded,
A life
subdued, from will and passion free;
It’s not
the peace that over Eden brooded,
But that
which triumphed in Gethsemane.
there is, in sacrifice secluded,
A life
subdued, from will and passion free;
It’s not
the peace that over Eden brooded,
But that
which triumphed in Gethsemane.
Jehovah
Jireh!
Jireh!
Comments? eacombs@att.net