Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.  The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.  Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.  Psalm 34:9-11

Our pastor kindly reminded our congregation this past Sunday that there were 57 days until Christmas.  I find that challenging for a few reasons.  First, there seems to be so much that “needs” to be done to prepare.  Second, my health issues regularly make it a challenge to face a “normal” day, let alone the additional activity that surrounds a holiday…or two very close together.  Finally, there is the mental hurdle…many of us facing challenges and trials will find it difficult to enjoy the holiday season let alone be thankful and joyful.  Yet as Christians we are called to be both at all times.  As those of us in the United States will be celebrating Thanksgiving this month, I will be focusing November posts on various reasons why we should be thankful.  This week, I would like to reflect on God’s provision for us.

“I recall hearing something:  a boy who lived in a box by the trash heap said ‘You westerners are the ones we can’t understand.  God has given you so much, you have been so blessed …why are so many in your country so unhappy?’”   This quote is from the book “When God Weeps” by Joni Eareckson Tada and Steven Estes.  Joni is recalling the statement spoken by boy who lived in a dump in Ghana as they left a joyful time of praise celebrated by those lived there following the distribution of some wheelchairs.  Sadly it’s true.  If you’re reading this, you most certainly have electricity, some form of heat, more than two outfits, a bed, food, a reasonably comfortable home, some form of income and the availability of healthcare.  We in the first world are so blessed that we often blur the lines between need and want and are easily dissatisfied.  Further, we fail to acknowledge that everything that we have is from God.  While many are truly grateful and relatively happy, there is a pervasive dissatisfaction as our culture works hard to promote entitlement and undermine the truths that God provides everything; we are to return a portion to Him; and to share with others in need.  David summarizes the facts rather succinctly in 1 Chronicles 29:10-16 during his prayer after an offering to build the temple had been collected:  “Blessed are You, O Lord God of Israel our father, forever and ever.  Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone.  Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name.  But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from You, and from Your hand we have given You. For we are sojourners before You, and tenants, as all our fathers were; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope.  O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided to build You a house for Your holy name, it is from Your hand, and all is Yours.”

Consider also that all that exists is created through and sustained by Christ.  Colossians 1:16-17 explains “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.  He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”  Our very existence is provided by and sustained in Christ.  The air that we breathe, the water we drink, the laws of science that allow us to move about and keep things in place are all delivered and maintained in Christ.

While I intend to deal with this separately, our salvation is gift provided by our God given to us in love while we were yet sinners.  (Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8, and John 3:16, Romans 5:8)

Those of us that trust in God have accepted the gift of salvation through Christ have more to come when the days ordained for us come to an end.  When the last breath leaves our mortal bodies we receive new ones in heaven, we are clothed in righteousness, we are given a new name and have new home provided in heaven where we can abide in the presence of God.  These too are Gods provisions for us.

The end of the matter is this.  No matter how pleasant or challenging our lives may be, all that we have, all that we are and all that exists around us, our righteousness and all that we have to look forward to in heaven is faithfully provided by the hand of God, in love, and in mercy.  God will not allow us to lack the truly good things that we need.  Being thankful for what we have rather than ruing what we don’t is a choice.  Concentrating on our trials and inconveniences keeps our focus self-centered and our souls unsatisfied.  Worse, focusing on what others have that we do not creates envy and jealousy.  However, when we are thankful and take time to recognize the vast provisions that God bestows on us, we find our souls lifted heavenward to thank and praise our God.  If you have not already done so, I encourage you to consider taking an inventory and intentionally thanking God for all that He has provided you.  It may not change your circumstances, but it will yield a better perspective and lift your soul.

Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the nations.

Will