Knowing God as your provider
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We have a new neighbor whose name is Nada. In Spanish, this word means Nothing. She, however, is a Coptic Christian from Egypt. Nada means Dew of the Morning in Arabic. Speaking her name is a reminder of God in all his refreshing goodness. It is a name turning our thoughts to Lamentations 3:22, 23:
Because of the Lord's faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!
In Moses' final address before the people crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land, and before he himself crossed over to heaven, he reminded the people how God had brought water from flint rock, a stone most often associated with starting fires. He also provided manna for meals like dew in the morning.
Moses first encountered God in a burning bush. Fire and smoke billowed from Mount Sinai. A pillar of fire guided the people through the wilderness at night. Moses' face glowed with the glory of God when he left the tent of meeting. Fire was always a possibility. Flint would remind his people of peaceful, restoring streams, and also the possibility of fire.
God is the Giver of All Good Things. Just as he gave fire and water as gifts of his grace in a dry and thirsty land, and just as he gave daily bread for meals, so would he continue providing all his people needed.
One thing God pointed out repeatedly is how these same people tended to forget it was he who was the source of every good and perfect gift. There was always a tendency and temptation to see themselves as their own providers. God reminded them how only he could create out of nothing. They could only make things out of what God provided.
Creating is God's business alone. Making is our privilege using the tools God provides.
A prayer seen in the Psalms more than once says, "Create in me a clean heart, O God." Only God can create a clean heart. We can reform our behavior to a large extent, but only God can restore our souls. (See Psalm 23.)
Good questions to keep close at hand are these:
1. What do you need?
2. What has God provided?
3. What can you do with what God has placed in your heart, mind, and hands?
Nothing is too hard for God. He is all we need. Again, Psalm 23 begins with this very reminder:
The LORD is my shepherd; I have what I need.
 | David Bowman, (DMin, PCC) is the Executive Director of Tarrant Baptist Association in Fort Worth, Texas. He also serves as a Multiplying Trainer for Future Church Co. Learn More » |
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