A Plethora of Provision

When we think of God providing for us, we often limit our thinking to the financial aspect. However, God provides for us in a number of ways and the extent to which He provides for His children is incomprehensible. Let's take a look at a few ways:

Relational

In relationships, when the person that you've invested time and energy with turns out to be someone that is not right for your destiny, God provides a way out and He provides a second chance to meet the person who you were truly intended for and who was truly intended for you. In friendships, when seasons change and friends move out of our lives or their roles change in our lives, God provides us with new friends to fill the void or those who have been there all along step up. God provides us with parents and guardians, husbands, wives, children, pastors, educators, advisors, mentors and so on. "God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19) Even in relationships, God makes the necessary provisions to mold us into the men and women that we are to become.

Health

When we neglect our temples, we are indeed destroying the bodies that God has entrusted to us. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds us "You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." As many times as you've dealt with minor sickness like allergies, common colds, etc., God has provided you with doctors of varying expertise who instruct you how to care for your bodies, nutritionists who encourage you to eat correctly, and exercise coaches/personal trainers who show you how to properly exercise. God has even made provisions for your mental well-being by equipping psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors and life coaches to help you to cope with life in a more balanced way. Pastors, prayer partners, preachers and teachers all provide you with guidance to optimum spiritual health. Everything that we need for healthy minds, bodies and spirits has been provided to us by our Lord & Savior.

Strength
When life seems too hard, God provides us with supernatural strength to endure. We experience death, financial setbacks, health issues, challenging projects and tasks, dysfunctional relationships, and the results of poor choices. However, God knows how much we can bear and he gives us what we need right when we need it. God also gives us a way of escape when we are tempted to succomb to choices that make us weak or that make life much more difficult to handle. I Corinthians 10:13 ensures us that "no temptation (or trial) has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted (or tried) beyond what you are able, but with the temptation (or trial) will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it." God provides us with strength and ways to escape the things that can harm us.

Financial
In these economic times, it is certainly important to acknowledge that God provides for us financially. From our jobs to our modes of transportation, we have everything that we need. We may not have everything that we want, but if we are able to make ends meet even 80% of the time, then we are farther along than most. Many of us have had to sacrifice higher paying jobs, vacations, simple luxuries and so on in order to survive. However, just as Abraham was willing to sacrifice his own flesh and blood and God provided for him, we have access to the same God, the same generous Provider. "And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh. As it is said to this day, In the mount of Jehovah it shall be provided." (Genesis 12:14).

As long as we remember to acknowledge God for the plethora of provision that He bestows upon us, then we can make it through any storm. If we are always reflecting on how far we've come and how God has provided for us before then we can have genuine confidence that He will do the same again and again. Even when life doesn't unfold as we expect it to, we have a Jehovah-Jireh watching and waiting to provide a ram in the bush and things will unfold exactly how God intends them to unfold.