God Our Provider 

Third part of a Series 

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.”
Matthew 6:31-32 (NIV) 

Human babies are too young to do anything for themselves.  Their very existence every day is dependent on their parents supporting them, feeding them, clothing them.  And in the same way, as God’s children, our heavenly Father is there to provide for our needs every day.  As Jesus said in Matthew 6:25-30, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  And why do you worry about clothes?  See how the lilies of the field grow.  They do not labour or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”

In looking out for our needs God our perfect parent sees not just our immediate physical needs, but everything we need to grow and develop as the children He wants us to be.  And sometimes what we need for our good in the long term is not the same as what we want right now.  So God gives us the experiences that help to shape us, that help to develop His love in us, that help to strengthen our relationship with Him.  He provides the circumstances so that we can meet the people He wants us to.  People who will encourage us, people we can learn from, people we can help.  He provides and/or allows situations that sometimes we don’t understand, that are sometimes painful and difficult, situations that we wouldn’t necessarily choose.  But we don’t need to worry, because our perfect, loving father is always there for us to see us through.  He knows the end from the beginning, and as His children He loves us so much He’ll always make sure we’re ok in the end.

As Jesus goes on to say in verses 33-34, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.” 

Prayer
Dear God, thank you so much that you promise in your great love to provide perfectly for our needs as your children.  Help us to trust in that provision in whatever circumstances we find ourselves.  In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen 

Study by Simon Williams

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About the Author:
Simon Williams is active in the Cambridge Congregation of the Worldwide Church of God UK.

Local Congregation:
Worldwide Church of God Cambridge
Comberton Village Hall
Green End
Comberton
CAMBRIDGE
CB23 7DY

Meeting time:
Saturday 2:00 pm

Local Congregational Contact:
Bill Lee
Email:  cambridge@wcg.org.uk