Divine Provision
MEMORISE: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
READ: Matthew 14:15-21 (KJV)
15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
18 He said, Bring them hither to me.
19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalms 36-37
MESSAGE:
Many years ago, I was sitting in my living room when I noticed that my children seemed to be having a meeting in another room. Before long, the youngest came to me and asked, “Daddy, what would you like to have as a present?” I told him I wanted a plane; he reported this to his siblings and they sent him back to ask for what they could afford to buy, I told him and went back. His siblings sent him back to me again to ask for money to buy the present. They were asking me for money to buy a gift for me. They weren't working at the time and they depended on me for provision. Their intention to give me a gift was followed by the provision to bring it to reality.
Also Read: Open Heaven 13 June 2022 – When You Say ‘Thank You Lord’
In our Bible reading today, the disciples saw a need to feed the people who had gathered to hear the word of the Lord, instead of going to Jesus to ask how they could accomplish the feeding, they wanted to send them away. They would have lost a great miracle that day. Jesus on the other hand, knew that since He wanted to do the Lord’s pleasure, then God would provide the means. At the end of the day, God made the provision – in abundance. When you see something that you know is needed in the house of God, when you desire to please the Lord with your service and sacrifice, don’t let your pocket limit you. Go to Him in prayers, stating your intentions. He knows that you depend on Him for provision anyway, so He provides the means to enable you do what you want to do for Him.
A man came to me some time ago, asking me to pray for him because he desired to be amongst those who would sponsor the next convention of The RCCG. I prayed for him and the next week he returned, complaining bitterly, “I asked you to pray for me so that I could sponsor the convention. Instead of being promoted, I was sacked from my place of work”. I laughed and said, “Did you think you could sponsor the convention with your meager salary? Don’t worry, God just closed one door so that He can open a bigger one”. Before long, he returned with enough money to sponsor a big part of the convention. Don’t, let the current state of your pocket limit what you can do for God. Carry the burden in your heart for that Kingdom project to Him and He will make the provision available to you.
REFLECTION:
Think about the things you would love to do for God. Now ask Him to provide the resources to help you do it.
HYMN 10: Jesus My Lord My God My All
1 Jesus, my Lord, my God, my all,
hear me, blest Savior, when I call;
hear me, and from thy dwelling place
pour down the riches of thy grace.
Refrain:
Jesus, my Lord, I thee adore;
O make me love thee more and more.
2 Jesus, too late I thee have sought;
how can I love thee as I ought?
And how extol thy matchless fame,
the glorious beauty of thy name?
3 Jesus, what didst thou find in me
that thou hast dealt so lovingly?
How great the joy that thou hast brought,
so far exceeding hope or thought!
4 Jesus, of thee shall be my song;
to thee my heart and soul belong;
all that I have or am is thine,
and thou, blest Savior, thou art mine.
