fbpx
Ten8 Fire

October 2022

The Provider

B. Keith Chapman, President & CEO

The Provider

Trust, a word, which involves a strong belief in someone or something that when tested will be supported with action. While the word, trust, can be both a noun or a verb, it is the action form of the word that proves and measures its strength. Trust can be hard to achieve, very easy to lose, and even harder to restore. However, it is an essential part of our lives. To trust someone fully, regardless of circumstances or consequences, requires a very high level of commitment and vulnerability.

While it is easy to use the word, trust, the higher the consequences involved, the stronger your belief must be. The Bible is full of men and women who didn’t just say they trust in the Lord; they lived it daily and through some incredible challenges. Among those great leaders was Abraham, whose level of trust in God was so high, that he was willing to give the life of his son to fulfill God’s plan. In the last minute, God provided a ram to be sacrificed in place of Abraham’s son. It was at that point, Abraham referred to God as Jehovah Jireh which means “The Lord will provide.” Abraham understood that God was the ultimate provider and that he would work things out for good even in the most extreme circumstances.

The seventeenth chapter Jeremiah says, “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord. But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by the long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.”  Real strength and provision are found in our relationship with God. The passage explains that those who trust in the Lord are blessed and find hope and confidence. The tree is an analogy that represents each of us. The tree is firmly planted in a foundation with secure access to provision (water). The most remarkable portion of this passage is that despite real hardship, in this case drought, the tree still produces fruit. A tree that produces fruit is healthy, strong and provides provision to others as well.

The world around us is so focused on self-preservation. This type of culture promotes a self-handling approach to problem solving and overall success. While it is true that self-motivation and initiative go a long way in driving success, some may forget that we have access to the One that can provide all our needs. God has given each of us talents and resources that should be used to help us navigate life. However, establishing a connection to our Provider secures an unlimited source of wisdom, strength, and blessing. In a world where many struggle with trust, it is helpful to remember that our trust should be in the Lord our Provider.

Challenge: Remember, we don’t have to remind God to provide. However, we may have to remind ourselves from time to time that God is our provider.

Published: October 1, 2022

Return to Living the Mission library