A good practice when overwhelmed with the demands of life is to write out what you need. Think of God coming to your rescue and asking you what is it that you need? By the way – He has done just that in His promises. Here’s a great one to consider:
Philippians 4:19 (ESV) — 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Think about the greatness of that promise. God will supply every need. Not some needs, not most needs, but every need. Notice to the resource of that promise: according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Every blessing in life is graciously given to us because of the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 1:16 (ESV) — 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
The vast resource of blessing is the One Who is the fullness of deity in body, the one mediator between God and man.
Colossians 2:9–10 (ESV) — 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.
1 Timothy 2:5 (ESV) — 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
By the way, if you turn from the promise that God will supply every need, you will try to supply your needs on your own which will only lead to your wanting more and more, never being satisfied. Leaning to be content is finding God’s faithfulness to supply exactly what you need in times of plenty and in times of scarcity.
Hebrews 13:5–6 (ESV) — 5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
Philippians 4:10–13 (ESV) — 10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
What is it that you need? We can act like God doesn’t know or care which can even come out as we pray. We don’t need to instruct Him because He knows what we have need of before we even ask, which doesn’t mean that we turn from asking, rather we come to Him in such humility knowing that He knows more about what we need than we do and we come first because He tells us to come, secondly because we are unloading our burdens upon Him, and thirdly we are demonstrating our faith in His promises.
Matthew 6:7–8 (ESV) — 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Do we need it or is it just that we want it? That is the question as we consider God’s promise to supply all of our needs. Many times, things we thought we needed but did not receive, we later realized would have been bad for us. And in that denial, we learned what we really needed and found that to be supplied to us. This is why we need not be filled with anxiety and consumed with much care, rather seek to follow close to our King, Who is our Shepherd, Our Great High Priest and Who will make sure He gives strength to sustain us through this life.
Matthew 6:31–33 (ESV) — 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Consider the promise:
Philippians 4:19 (ESV) — 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker
