Our Father God is a Caring Provider
I turned three shortly after we moved away from family and friends. I only have one vague memory of that year—a dirt trail behind the apartment where Mom would take us to play when she needed to get outside.
But I’ve heard plenty of stories about that time. The bat in the laundry and our ‘Charlie Brown’ Christmas tree are memorable ones. Since my dad was finishing his schooling and only worked part-time, mom had to make things work for a family of five on very little income.
Though I don’t remember specifics, those early years made a deep impression. There is a part of my flesh that really doesn’t like the thought of being ‘without.’
Fast forward to my adult years when the Lord led me to plant a church. “What Lord? You want me to leave a steady income to start something I’m not convinced will work?”
I reminded the Lord that I had four kids, and they came with expenses (especially as they entered college). He reminded me that He is my family’s Provider, not any church or other place of business.
It required stepping out in faith. As we walked by faith, the Lord met us along the way.
But it wasn’t always financial provision. At times, He provided friends, encouragement, wisdom, hope, or a living space. And though not every step went according to our plan, I see how the Lord used those experiences to shape and teach me to be the husband, father, and leader He created me to be.
There is a rule for interpreting Scripture called the ‘law of first mention.’ It tells us that we can learn a lot from the first time a subject is mentioned in Scripture.
In Genesis 22, the Lord presents Abraham with a huge challenge to his faith. God asks Abraham to go to a distant mountain and sacrifice Isaac, his son. This is the same son through whom the Lord promised a covenant relationship with Abraham’s descendants (see Genesis 17:21).
Scripture is clear that this was a test—and a costly one at that. Abraham didn’t know it was a test, but he stepped out in faith and obeyed, trusting that God would provide.
When Isaac questioned his dad about what they were going to sacrifice, Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son” (Genesis 22:8, CSB). Hebrews 11:19 says that Abraham’s faith caused him to believe God was “able even to raise someone from the dead.”
Abraham didn’t know how God was going to provide, but he had faith that God would, and could, keep His promise.
Jesus reiterated the truth about our Father’s caring provision in Matthew 6. He said, “Your heavenly Father knows that you need (food, drink, and clothing). But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matt. 6:32b-33, ESV)
As we seek the kingdom of God first, the Lord may instruct us to do things that don’t make sense according to this world’s wisdom and understanding. But we can trust Him because He is a generous and caring Provider.
A couple years into the church plant, I had a sense of anxiety about provision. I read 2 Corinthians 9 where Paul encouraged the believers to be cheerful givers: “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.” (2 Cor. 9:10-11, ESV)
Three things struck me as Paul used a physical illustration to enlighten a spiritual principle. First, God has provided seed for sowers worldwide every year since Paul wrote these words 2,000 years ago! Our Father is not going to suddenly run out of provision and fail to provide. Second, our Father’s provision is for the purpose of increasing the harvest of our righteousness, not our own self-indulgence. And third, when we utilize His provision to be generous, it creates gratitude to God. He gets the glory and draws people to Himself.
Dear Saints, you can trust the Lord in these troubling times. There is nothing that can prevent Him from being a caring and generous provider because that is who He is. Our job is to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness.
After all, there is so much more at stake than temporal security. In Genesis 22:8, Abraham’s response to Isaac regarding the sacrifice can be translated, “God will provide Himself the Lamb.” Over 1,000 years later, John the Baptist said of Jesus, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29, ESV)
Our Father has always been, and will continue to be, our caring and generous Provider, starting first and foremost with His provision of salvation through the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
I renounce the lie that You, Father God, are stingy, uncaring, or will fail to provide.
I announce the truth that You, Father God, are generous, care for me, and You can provide for my needs. – Neil T. Anderson, The Steps to Freedom in Christ (Genesis 22:1-14; Matthew 6:25-34; 2 Corinthians 9:8-11; Hebrews 11:17-19)