“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 ESV

Shopping and spending has never been so easy than in the consumerist world we live in today.  We can buy a new pair of shoes in an instant and have them delivered to our doorstep in less than 48 hours and charge it on credit to pay later.  Wives, having a man to oversee our spending is a blessing in disguise.  Often, we “feel” things are needs when they really are merely masked wants.  We live in a culture that tells us that if we want something, we need to get it now at all costs.  Yet, God’s wisdom teaches us otherwise.

Being full of thanks for what has been supplied for us is God’s revealed will for us.   Paul sates this in 1 Thess5:18, and coming from a man who endured beatings, shipwrecks and persecution for the sake of spreading the gospel of Christ.  “Paul knew how to rejoice in every circumstance and be free from anxiety and worry, because his heart was guarded by the peace of God, and the God of peace.  His example is especially relevant to our utterly discontent culture.” (John MacArthur)

God promises to supply our every need, not necessarily our wants.  Thus, if we do not have something right now, it’s because God in His wisdom knows we don’t need it now.  In our humanity we tend to never be fully satisfied with what we have; but in reality we have all we need in Christ.  God has been teaching me this week that when hit with a loss, it may feel like God took something essential to our well-being from us.  However, if we say God took something we need so much, then He can’t be trusted as good.  We must choose to trust that God will not take anything from us that he knows we don’t absolutely need, even when it doesn’t make sense to us.  The truth is he sees the finished canvass.  “Think of the self that God has given as an acorn.  It is a marvelous little thing, a perfect shape, perfectly designed for its purpose, perfectly functional.  Think of the grand glory of an oak tree.  God’s intention when He made the acorn was the oak tree.  His intention for us is, ‘…the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.’  Many deaths must go into our reaching that measure, many letting goes.  When you look at the oak tree, you don’t feel the ‘loss’ of the acorn is a very great loss. The more you perceive God’s purpose in your life, the less terrible will the losses seem.” Elisabeth Elliot

When we chose to look at our present circumstances with eyes of faith, we have peace—not because we believe God has given us or will give us with what we want, but because we know he is faithful to provide us what we need today.   If we take a step back and take account of all the ways God has pulled through for us in the past, we will be reminded that God can be trusted.  He provided the most costly and needful of all in salvation through Christ.  We have been given so much through him in the immense debt we owed that He canceled out on our behalf through faith in Jesus’ finished work on the cross.

Have you ever been given something so amazing or valuable that you knew you could never pay it back? That is what Christ did for us and is continuing to do for us in every aspect of our lives.  In the past year, many of you have lovingly poured out an abundance of financial resources, meals, gifts, cards, time and support to our family. God has used the Church to meet our needs and beyond in tangible ways.  While, I may never be able to pay everyone back, I can confidently say with Paul that God will repay your every need richly in Christ.

Heavenly Abba, our good good Father, you are worthy of our all our trust.  You have given us everything we need–you have mercifully not withheld your only son.  Please forgive us for so many times we fall short of seeing you for who you truly are.  Move in our hearts to experience you as enough in the mist of the trials you graciously grants for our growth and reliance on you alone.  May we come continually come to Christ–the fountain in which is found the living water that alone can satisfy a thirst and weary soul.  In Jesus’ name.