GOD, Our Provider
Junior Level

In today’s hard economic times, it is easy for us to begin to be fearful and to worry.  However, GOD says in His Word that He is our provider and that we should not be dismayed.  Today we will be looking at two different women in the Bible who seemed to be going down, but GOD in His great mercy provided for them.  As you read, know that what He did for these women, He will do for you.  He is our GOD, our FATHER, Our Provider and He is faithful!  Do not worry, He is taking care of you!  GOD bless you all.

1 Kings 17:10-15  “10So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.
 11And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. 12And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. 13And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.

 14For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. 15And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.”

I love this scripture in the Bible.  Elijah had been living by a brook and the ravens had been bringing him food everyday from the LORD because there was a famine in the land.  GOD had been providing for HIS servant because it is GOD’S way.  He is the best FATHER!  Not only did HE provide for Elijah, but for this widow woman and her son who were bound to die without GOD’S help.  

Have you ever been in a situation where there was no way out?  I sure have.  In fact I am in a situation right now, where it seems impossible, but I KNOW that all things are possible with GOD and that HE will provide and it will all be ok because HE promises me in HIS word that He will provide and GOD’S promises are true…HE is our faithful GOD!  Our FATHER!  Our FATHER is aware of our needs at all times!

Philippians 4:19 “But my GOD shall supply all your need according to HIS riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

I can choose to sit around and worry and be upset, or I can choose to trust GOD, Beloved, you have the same choices.  You can choose to worry or you can choose to pray and ask GOD for help and provision and trust that HE will answer your prayer.  Remember, GOD IS FAITHFUL!
GOD tells us in HIS word not to worry, that He will take care of us, and yes, even when we make mistakes and get ourselves in trouble.  We can’t just be careless always and expect GOD to bail us out of our sin or trouble when we do things on purpose, but when we have a right hear with GOD, and trying to do HIS will, He will help us.  He is so good that even when we are messing up, HE still provides, not because we are good, but because HE is good!

Philippians 4:6 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto GOD.  7And the peace of GOD, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Here is more scripture about another woman who needed provision from the LORD.  If you happen to be in need, read this remembering that GOD is the same yesterday, today and forever, He doesn’t change and what HE does for one of HIS children, HE will do for you!

2 Kings 4:1-7 “ 1Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.

 2And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil. 3Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.

 4And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full. 5So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.

 6And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. 7Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.”

I will declare it again!!!  Our FATHER is aware of our needs at all times!  Praise You LORD!

Child of GOD, you may be in a place of fear.  Times are hard, jobs are scarce and it seems as if things are only getting worse.  Know this.  Even when the whole world is reeling and rocking unsteady and crumbling, Your FATHER, GOD in Heaven is in control and He own EVERYTHING!  He provided for thousands and thousands of people everyday when HE delivered Israel out of the land of Egypt.  He has provided for you all the days of your life.  He takes care of the animals of the earth, feeding them and sheltering them and You are much more to Him than these. 

Luke 12:24-32 “24Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

 25And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 26If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? 27Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

 28If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 29And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
 30For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 32Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Ask GOD, Pray, Trust GOD, and Do not worry or fear.  Obey HIM…He will provide for you what you need.  He is good, all the time!

Dear Righteous, Holy Father,

We bow before You, thanking You for who You are yet again.  You are The HOLY ONE!  There is none like YOU.  Father we thank You that You are our provider.  You are good and Your mercy endures forever.  Father we ask You to forgive us and help us for the sins and mistakes we do and make.  Father help us be more like You.  We ask today that You help us to ask, trust, and obey You knowing that You will supply all our need.  Help and comfort the ones struggling today when times are so hard.  Comfort us and help us to believe Your Word and to put all our faith and trust In You…Our Provider.  We thank You and we love You always…JESUS in Your lovely name we pray and ask.  Amen :O)