Entering Into God’s Presence Knowing God Through His Roles & Titles

Provider (Sphere of Economics)

To Study and Ponder

• It is clear throughout scripture that God is a Father who provides for the needs of His people:-

  • -  He provided for Jacob’s family in famine, taking them to Egypt where He had put Joseph in place. Gen 45:11 I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come.

  • -  Psa 147:9 He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call. (111:5)

  • -  Matthew 6:31-33 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. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Luke 12:28)

  • -  And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

  • -  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32

• Abraham had to walk with Isaac towards the top of Mt. Moriah and answer his son’s question “where is the sheep for the burnt offering?” We have no idea how he wrestled with this internally, but a swift answer came, “God will provide.” (Gen.22:8) After God’s last minute provision for Abraham, that place was given a new name - “Yahweh-Yireh” = "God sees-the Lord will provide" v.14 God, in his great love and infinite wisdom at times tests our faith and obedience, putting us in situations where we have to trust him, and him only, to be our provider. How we respond in such times reveals our hearts! As He tested Abraham, the “father of faith” he will, in his love, test us to help us learn to walk by faith, becoming fully convinced that he is our provider and can be trusted.

• We are designed to live a life of dependence on God as our provider - leaning on Him as the one responsible for providing for his plans for our lives to come to pass. When we don’t trust him and try to provide out of our own resources or cleverness we get into trouble!

• Deuteronomy 11:13-17 speaks of God’s promise to provide for Israel, but obedience was a condition. They were told that if they worshiped other gods the land would stop producing. Israel was also warned not to forget that God was their provider when in the future they would get to the promised land and prosper. (Deut. 6:10-12; ch.28)

• God did provide for the Israelites even when they were disobedient & disloyal in the desert.

  - During these forty years, the Lord your God has been with you, and you have lacked nothing....your clothes and sandals did not wear out. Deuteronomy 2:7; 29:5

• God not only provides for our physical needs but He provides everything we need for salvation through Jesus, all that we need to live for His glory(Hebrews 13:21); a rich spiritual inheritance(Ephesians 1:18, 3:16-20); the Holy Spirit to teach and help us(Jn.14:16,17, 26).

• God’s provision is generous - He “richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment” 1 Tim 6:17b

  • -  He provided abundantly for the people of Egypt & surrounding nations - grain during 7

    years famine. Joseph willingly shared w. brothers & others Gen 42:1-38, 43:1-34, 44:1-34

  • -  Jesus abundantly (supernaturally!) provided for host at Cana wedding. John 2:1-10

  • -  Psalm 65:9-13 paints a picture of God’s overflowing abundance in the land

  • -  Acts 14:17 he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For

    instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts.

• God is pleased when His people are generous, gladly sharing provisions with others in need, Paul encouraged generous offerings for believers in need. 2Co 9:6-8

Meditation/Memory:

Lower Grades: Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing. Psalm 34:9-10 (NLT)

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

Middle Grades: For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. Psalm 84:11 (NLT)

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5 (NLT)

Upper Grades: So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:31-33 (NLT)

Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NLT)