Friday, June 5, 2009

God The Provider

by Donna L. Watkins

Not long ago we were reveling in a terrific economy. Buying and selling and creating mountains of debt. Times have changed.

© 2009 Donna L. Watkins - Mantled Howler Monkey Rolling A Leaf In Its Mouth - La Selva, Costa Rica

Rising gas prices caused us to consider other options and the mortgage crisis woke us up to the reality that "the borrower being a servant to the lender" (Proverbs 22:7). Pensions and retirement funds that people lived most of their lives to enjoy have vaporized before their eyes. Jobs once considered mundane and boring are held in much higher esteem with appreciate for a regular paycheck when so many are jobless.

Earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, fires and hurricanes are hitting the world like birth pangs bringing much heartache and ruins to millions. It would seem our security blanket of materialism is being tossed and torn and ripped out of our hands. Do we like Job's wife suggested? To curse God and die? It's so easy to blame God as Israel did on their long journey in the wilderness. They rejoiced in His provision and miracles, in the moment at least, but when times required a bit of character, they cursed Him and rebelled with stiff necks.

Our God is a just God, with great love and mercy. But justice is a good character quality and as we exact justice on our children to teach them better character, God also has to display justice for our actions and attitudes. We can rail against God for the calamities of our day, or we can go to His wisdom and seek His face and repent for our ways and change the way we are living.

"If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Are you one of His people? We don't need a majority to turn things around, but if Christians would stop thinking like Job's wife, we could turn the tide on many of life's calamities. Throughout history there have been revivals. Being in the worst of times will either bring you prostate before the Throne ... or on the desert floor with fist raised. Which ground will you choose to be on?

God is our Provider and if we seek His face for where we have misused His provision and repent and turn from our selfish ways, He can put us on solid ground and the economy will not predict or dominate any part of your life. Stop complaining and become pro-active.

Isaiah 40:28-29:

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."

Grumbling will eventually swallow you up from the essence of life itself. Turn to hope and build your faith and your outlook. We serve an awesome God. Maybe you don't think of yourself as a servant and that could be a root of the problem. We are created beings, made in the image of God, for fellowship and communion with Him. It's easy to think we humans are the ultimate supreme beings of the world, but we are here to be of service to our Creator. A change of mindset and heart attitude may be the first step to the beginning of victory.

Yes, you've heard it many times, but read it now and ingest the words into your very soul:

"If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

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© 2009 Donna L. Watkins - This article was reprinted with permission from TheNatureInUs.com.
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