By: Bishop Dr. Etta Mhoon-Walker, Ph.D., D. Div.
Friday Devotion and Prayer. May 19, 2023 “When You’re Anxious about Finances”
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
When the apostle Paul wrote this verse, he was in prison. In that day, prisons were designed to psychologically and physically torture a prisoner into confessing. Most prisons were underground, dark, and filthy, and rations were sparse. In fact, many prisoners relied on their friends and family for their needs. So here Paul is saying, in prison, that God supplies all our needs. Imagine you are in prison for doing exactly what God asked you to do. And unable to feed yourself. For most of us, the pressure to cover our everyday costs is enough, but think if you couldn’t work for provisions. You may be in a season now where you’ve lost the ability to provide. Or you need help to provide like you used to.
Perhaps you have medical bills that keep piling up. I once heard a man say, “You won’t know God as a provider until you need Him to provide.” Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” And Hebrews 3:4 says, “For every house is built by some man; but he that built all things is God.” Since God created everything, He can supply all our needs. Everything is the Lord’s anyway. The Lord’s ability to provide is not contingent on your circumstances. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
Sometimes the Lord’s provision comes through wisdom, knowledge, abilities, and skill to do specific tasks. In Exodus 35:31-33 God chose a man named Bezalel and Oholiab to be an artisan to help build the Tabernacle. Other times, the Lord provides day-by-day, as He did to the Israelites as they were in the desert. Deuteronomy 8:1-6 encapsulates God’s provisions by reminding the Israelites that He provided manna for food and kept their shoes and clothing from wearing out. If we are honest, we don’t always like the way God provides. We want to be comfortable and have extra, but if your needs are met today, God is providing!
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for waking us up today. Thank You for allowing us to live another day. Thank You that You have already gone before us and know what the day and our futures hold. No matter where we go, You are there. Thank You that You are not only our Father, but our source (1 Corinthians 8:6). Thank You that You are aware of us (Psalm 139:7-10), and You know our needs better than we do. Thank You that You are working all things together for Your glory and our good (Romans 8:28).
Father, like a child, comes to their parent(s) for their needs; we come to You. You are the beginning and the end (Revelation 22:13). Nothing is too hard for You (Jeremiah 32:17). In Psalm 34:6, you say, “This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.” Lord, You are not blind or deaf to our situations. I ask that You help us run to You, knowing You are the maker of all things (John 1:3). Lord, we lift our financial situation to You. It is too heavy for us to handle. But thank You that You bear our daily burdens (Psalm 68:19). Thank You that You are always able (2 Corinthians 9:8). Lord, we commit ourselves to You. Thank You for salvation. Thank You for never leaving us. Thank You for sustaining us. You are good, and we trust You. Help us to trust you more. You are worthy. In Your son Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen!
