November 15, 1998, Sunday

With the "now generation" of the nineties, what system

can provide instant gratification? What system in nature

can supply and feed all the animals of the earth every day?

What is the standard of provision in the family today?

Paul wrote to the Romans to give them the solution to

the problem many new believers faced. That solution is

Jesus who provides more joy and pleasure than what the

world or our carnal gratification may offer---"But put

on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the

flesh, to fulfill its lusts" (Rom 13:14). That solution

offers personal, spiritual gratification now and for the

eternity that we will all face.

God spoke to Job out of the whirlwind to remind him of

His system of provision for all of His creation--"Who

provides food for the raven, When its young ones cry to

God, And wander about for lack of food (Job 38:41)?

Jesus tells us we are more valuable than any plant or

animal, so why worry about such things (Mat 6:30-31) ?

Paul wrote to Timothy to advise him of God's standard of

provision for heads of households----"But if anyone will

not provide for his own, and especially for those of his

household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an

unbeliever" (1Tim 5:8). Certainly we can have faith to

trust that God will provide sacrificially for His own

household of faithful believers. God would not expect us

to maintain a standard that He does not keep Himself.

Let us remember who is the God that provides all things.

God's name is Jehová Jireh. He is the God that provides

a solution to the problems of His people. He is the God

that provides a system for His people to live. He is the

God that provided a sacrifice for humanity. Lift your

hands to Him and Praise Him today for the fact that He

is the God that provides for our every need!