As I was reading my scripture for the day, 2 Peter 1:3-4, My mind began to wonder to a young woman on my prayer list. She is a client at the Crisis Pregnancy Center where I volunteer, and while I have not met her, I know a bit of her story. Pregnant, homeless, and desperate. My heart yearns for her and my spirit cries out on her behalf. This is what is stirring in my mind as I read the words "God has given us everything we need..." My flesh screams, "but what about her!" as God's still soft voice prompts me to keep reading.
We receive all that we need -for living a Holy Life (not one by our own design)- by coming to know Him. It is through our relationship with the creator that we the creation come to receive all that we need, and more than we could ever ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
In His infinite goodness, He provides for all of our needs, even in the most desperate of times (Genesis 22:13-14) and promises us more and continued provision. By knowing Him more, we settle in to the peace and confidence that if He said it, He means it, and He will follow through. His promises are "Yes!" and "Amen!" (2 Corinthians 1:20) even if the current situation seems dire.
We learn to be happy, satisfied, and content where we are because we know our strength doesn't come from stuff or our own ability, God's got this (Philippians 4:11-13). And through this others can see our secret, and we can let them in on it. We can be His hands, feet, and mouth. We can GO to the needy, GIVE to them as God has given to us, and SHARE with them the great love and provision that comes from knowing the provider.
God sees our need and has a plan to provide, we need only trust Him and get closer. God sees the needs of the prodigals and waits patiently for them to come home so that He can throw His cloak around them, and sometimes God sends us to bring them home.
Genesis 22:13-14 Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by it's horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means "The Lord will provide." To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided."
2 Peter 1:3-4 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a holy life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promised that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires.
Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything, I have learned the secret of living in every situation. whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or with little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:4 Always be full of joy in the Lord, I say it again- rejoice!
2 Corinthians 1:20 For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding YES and through Christ our AMEN which means yes, ascends to God for his glory.
Ephesians 3:20-21 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work in us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.