The Lord Will Provide
I'm writing this with bleary eyes and it's only 7:45 - Jeopardy's on in the background, mom's washing yesterday's dishes, and sister's in the shower. We're all a little worn out and with plenty of reason to be...and plenty of reason not to be. Life's been a little bit of a roller coaster lately and yet I know it could be worse - way worse. I'm thankful yet tired. Grateful yet sad.
My cousin Chris passed away last Thursday and our hearts are heavy for his mom and dad, his brothers, and his two kids. We mourn and yet we rejoice as he is with the Lord - beyond pain and suffering and beyond tears and sorrow.
This season has been tough - I'm not sure if I've mentioned it earlier in my blog, but it's definitely been a season of growth. And not quite the good kind of growth when you feel like a flower blooming in spring, more like growth pains when you're a kid and your feet hurt or your whole body just hurts, and you know it's a good kind of pain and it's going to end in something great but at the moment you can't see the good in it.
Ever since May/June of last year that type of growth's been going on in my life. I lost some close friends and friend groups as some were going their separate ways - getting married, or hanging out with their boyfriends more, moving away, or just going into different seasons and directions in their lives. And that isolation brought some challenges and, I have to admit, a little bit of bitterness. But God has used that and turned that bitterness into compassion.
Something our family's also been struggling with a bit lately is Provision. We provide for ourselves, each have our own jobs, and live together to share the cost of living between the three of us. But lately I've heard some things that make me struggle with jealousy. I never really considered myself a jealous person, but the devil knows where to hit us at just the right time. Sometimes it is just hard to hear how some people have so much and can give so much when we have to work hard for ourselves and we don't have a main provider of the family. Most families do, or most women my age and my sister's age already have a fiancee or husband that provides for the family.
But I remind myself of God's promises. He is good. He is for us. He loves us.
I promise this isn't a rant or a whole post of my complaining. I merely want to encourage you and maybe you're going through the same thing. I just want to say, me too.
Despite what you're dealing with... The Lord Will Provide.
I first encountered this when reading about Abraham taking his son up the mountain to sacrifice him as the Lord had commanded him. But this didn't really stick with me until I read Katie Davis Majors' book and she expounded on it more. Before I say anything more, go buy both of her books - she does a much better job at explaining than I could in a blog post! Anyway, when Isaac asked his father, Abraham, what they were going to sacrifice on the mountain - because they had all the makings for a burnt offering except the actual offering. Abraham replied, "God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And of course He did. God provided a ram in the thicket so that Abraham didn't have to sacrifice his son - a test of faith. A display of Provision.
God will provide.
When we fall short, when we're in a dry season, when we're wandering in the desert of uncertainty or isolation, when we lose loved ones, when we're bitter, when we're tired, worn out, and worried, the Lord will provide.
Sometimes it's hard to believe. Sometimes it's easier to get disillusioned, think God's not on your side, and throw some rocks at the sky. But it'll only make you more tired and worn out - it'll make you everything you're trying not to be.
But if you're losing hope, put one foot in front of the other and look up at the One who died for you. He's leading the way and doesn't want you to fall behind. And if you do, He'll wait for you to catch up and ask if you're ready to keep going... even if you don't agree with or like the way He's taking you, all we can do is say, "Yes, Lord. Of course I'm going to keep following you." As it's said in the Gospel of John, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” And so we believe and we continue on trusting in His promises because He loves us so deeply and so fully.
It's thundering out now. Thunder in January. Crazy Kentucky weather, right?! And after a long day and a long week, we sit resting, thankful that we have a beautiful, warm home, cozy kittens sleeping on laps, and thankful for a God that provides. My horse has also been sick lately and that always worries us all terribly. But I'm thankful too that he's getting better, a little bit at a time, and God is healing him. Truly, we're surrounded by God's promises and His provision. Sometimes what we're looking for most is right in front of us and we just can't see it. For God is never not enough. (check out Steven Furtick's message on that too and you won't be disappointed!)
If you're tired - He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29
If you're lonely - I will never leave you nor forsake you. Deut. 31:6
If you're scared - "Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!" Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. Matthew 8:26
And here are just a few more:
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Phil. 4:19
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Isaiah 54:10
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
And my favorite:
Isaiah 41:10
Fear not for I AM with you.
Be not dismayed for I AM your God.
I will comfort you, yes I will help you.
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
My cousin Chris passed away last Thursday and our hearts are heavy for his mom and dad, his brothers, and his two kids. We mourn and yet we rejoice as he is with the Lord - beyond pain and suffering and beyond tears and sorrow.
***
This season has been tough - I'm not sure if I've mentioned it earlier in my blog, but it's definitely been a season of growth. And not quite the good kind of growth when you feel like a flower blooming in spring, more like growth pains when you're a kid and your feet hurt or your whole body just hurts, and you know it's a good kind of pain and it's going to end in something great but at the moment you can't see the good in it.
Ever since May/June of last year that type of growth's been going on in my life. I lost some close friends and friend groups as some were going their separate ways - getting married, or hanging out with their boyfriends more, moving away, or just going into different seasons and directions in their lives. And that isolation brought some challenges and, I have to admit, a little bit of bitterness. But God has used that and turned that bitterness into compassion.
Something our family's also been struggling with a bit lately is Provision. We provide for ourselves, each have our own jobs, and live together to share the cost of living between the three of us. But lately I've heard some things that make me struggle with jealousy. I never really considered myself a jealous person, but the devil knows where to hit us at just the right time. Sometimes it is just hard to hear how some people have so much and can give so much when we have to work hard for ourselves and we don't have a main provider of the family. Most families do, or most women my age and my sister's age already have a fiancee or husband that provides for the family.
But I remind myself of God's promises. He is good. He is for us. He loves us.
I promise this isn't a rant or a whole post of my complaining. I merely want to encourage you and maybe you're going through the same thing. I just want to say, me too.
Despite what you're dealing with... The Lord Will Provide.
I first encountered this when reading about Abraham taking his son up the mountain to sacrifice him as the Lord had commanded him. But this didn't really stick with me until I read Katie Davis Majors' book and she expounded on it more. Before I say anything more, go buy both of her books - she does a much better job at explaining than I could in a blog post! Anyway, when Isaac asked his father, Abraham, what they were going to sacrifice on the mountain - because they had all the makings for a burnt offering except the actual offering. Abraham replied, "God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And of course He did. God provided a ram in the thicket so that Abraham didn't have to sacrifice his son - a test of faith. A display of Provision.
God will provide.
When we fall short, when we're in a dry season, when we're wandering in the desert of uncertainty or isolation, when we lose loved ones, when we're bitter, when we're tired, worn out, and worried, the Lord will provide.
Sometimes it's hard to believe. Sometimes it's easier to get disillusioned, think God's not on your side, and throw some rocks at the sky. But it'll only make you more tired and worn out - it'll make you everything you're trying not to be.
But if you're losing hope, put one foot in front of the other and look up at the One who died for you. He's leading the way and doesn't want you to fall behind. And if you do, He'll wait for you to catch up and ask if you're ready to keep going... even if you don't agree with or like the way He's taking you, all we can do is say, "Yes, Lord. Of course I'm going to keep following you." As it's said in the Gospel of John, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” And so we believe and we continue on trusting in His promises because He loves us so deeply and so fully.
***
It's thundering out now. Thunder in January. Crazy Kentucky weather, right?! And after a long day and a long week, we sit resting, thankful that we have a beautiful, warm home, cozy kittens sleeping on laps, and thankful for a God that provides. My horse has also been sick lately and that always worries us all terribly. But I'm thankful too that he's getting better, a little bit at a time, and God is healing him. Truly, we're surrounded by God's promises and His provision. Sometimes what we're looking for most is right in front of us and we just can't see it. For God is never not enough. (check out Steven Furtick's message on that too and you won't be disappointed!)
If you're tired - He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29
If you're lonely - I will never leave you nor forsake you. Deut. 31:6
If you're scared - "Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!" Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. Matthew 8:26
And here are just a few more:
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Phil. 4:19
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Isaiah 54:10
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
And my favorite:
Isaiah 41:10
Fear not for I AM with you.
Be not dismayed for I AM your God.
I will comfort you, yes I will help you.
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Be not dismayed my friends, the Lord is with us and for us & He Will Provide.
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