Tag: provision

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God Provides

Everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him came and brought the Lord’s contribution for the work of the tent of meeting and for all its service and for the holy garments. Then all whose hearts moved them, both men and women, came and brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and bracelets, all articles of gold; so did every man who presented an offering of gold to the Lord. Every man, who had in his possession blue and purple and scarlet material and fine linen and goats’ hair and rams’ skins dyed red and porpoise skins, brought them. Everyone who could make a contribution of silver and bronze brought the Lord’s contribution; and every man who had in his possession acacia wood for any work of the service brought it.  (Exodus 35:21-24, NASB)

Prior to the time of the Bible passage above, Moses had been given detailed instructions on how to build the Tabernacle, a portable version of what was later to be the Temple in Jerusalem.  The details included the dimensions and the materials.  Moses then solicited the materials from the Israelites.  This passage tells what happens next. 

The people had escaped from Egypt.  As the text says, they donated items of gold and silver; blue, purple, and scarlet fabric; fine linen; goats’ hair; rams’ skins dyed red; porpoise skins; items of bronze; and acacia wood.  Wait.  These people were in the middle of the Sinai Desert, the “wilderness.”  Where did they get this stuff?  Porpoise skins?  The short answer is, “God provides!”  A more correct answer is, they plundered from the Egyptians! 

Exodus 35:21
Exodus 35:21 image.  Found at Feel the Words, https://www.feelthewords.com/scriptures/ot/ex/35/21.

Before the night of the Passover, God instructed Moses to tell the Israelites to ask their Egyptian neighbors to give them articles of clothing and jewelry.  They would need them for their journey.  Miraculously, the Egyptians handed over what their neighbors asked for!  Thus the Israelites plundered Egypt! 

God doesn’t give us assignments without giving us the means to accomplish them.  When Moses solicited the materials to build the Tabernacle, God knew the people had what was needed.  He does the same thing with us.  We just need to pay attention!  For Jesus-followers, we can rely on the Holy Spirit, our Helper!  He doesn’t leave us or forsake us.  God provides! 

Worship: “Gadol Elohai” (“How Great Is Our God”), by Joshua Aaron
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Worries II

“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  (Matthew 6:31-34, NASB)

Last time we learned that we shouldn’t worry, neither for what we will eat, nor what we will wear, for if we put our faith and trust in God, He will provide what we need (please see “Worries,” May 18, 2022).  This was a portion of Matthew’s account of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, which is continued in the portion above.  Jesus continues His dissertation on worries.  You’re probably thinking, “Wade, why didn’t you cover this at the same time before?”  Well, it’s because I wanted to play some music that goes with this passage. 

First, Jesus reiterates that we shouldn’t worry about what we eat, drink, or put on our bodies.  He says that “the Gentiles eagerly seek these things.”  I think Jesus is trying to tell His fellow Jews that they’re different from the Gentiles, that He is the Hope of Israel, and that the Kingdom of God is at hand for them.  In addition “your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.”

Jesus then shares again the secret to defeat anxiety:  “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”  So if we spend our time on the things of God, and not be overly worried about this world, we’ll receive our needs from the Father.  Jesus concludes:  “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Bible Verse of the Day - day 138 - image 34740 (Matthew 6:33)
Matthew 6:33 image.  Found at Bible.com, https://www.bible.com/verse-of-the-day/MAT.6.33/34740?version=111

I understand that “each day has enough trouble of its own.”  ALS is a day-by-day disease.  By God’s grace, I concentrate on making it through today.  When I could barely walk anymore, I used to say it was step-by-step.  In the days prior to my tracheostomy, when I had to rely on the bipap machine to breathe, I said it was breath-by-breath.  Now I’m on a ventilator 24/7, and I can’t walk.  I’m back to day-by-day.  I’m not worried, I know where I’m headed after I pass on.

Jesus tells us not to worry.  He wants us to rely on the Father to provide what we need.  Jesus says the Father knows just what we require.  With faith, He will provide!

Worship:  “First,” by Lauren Daigle