Confidence in God

​Philippians 4:19 ~ “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
 
How confident are you in the LORD? In our text for today, many have laid hold of this text in the hopes of manipulating the LORD into giving them everything their heart desires. But does this Scripture put God under conscription to the church? Does the Master have to bow to the demands of the servant? My dear friends, this will never be. The LORD has not once given Himself to be subservient to the whims of man—even redeemed man. He does not prostrate Himself before us. There are some who are very much like the crowd that had partaken of the fish and loaves. When they found Jesus had departed, they went looking for Him. Their purpose was not to worship or glorify Him, but to demand of Him another meal. The LORD said as much in John 6:26, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.”
 
He does, however, provide blessed promises that we can anchor ourselves upon and know that as we are faithful to Him, we will experience these very great and precious promises. Our text for today is one such Divine promise, expressed by the Apostle Paul, who himself went through hardship and suffering, yet understood that the LORD supplies everything. Peter expressed this in 2 Peter 1:3, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.” And this is how we must come to our text for today.
 
There is a source to this promise—and that source if God. We read right in the very first part of the text, “my God will supply.” How dreadful is it when we go chasing after the supplies of the world, seeking the resources of those who are hostile to the LORD. Consider Abraham for a moment. We read in Genesis 14:22-23, “But Abram said to the king of Sodom, ‘I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, “I have made Abram rich.”’” Our LORD Jesus commands us in this matter as well in Matthew 6:31-33, “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” This does not mean we should lounge about and wait for gold to fall from the sky. We are commanded to work hard to provide as we are able. But there are many who have squandered their virtue and integrity in order to accumulate the treasures of this earth. Let it be said of those who belong to Christ that we will work hard and seek the LORD, trusting that He will provide—for His promise is given.
 
There is also a need to be met. Our next statement in our text for today is this: “every need of yours.” To grasp this, we must come to understand what is our “need.” The term signifies a necessity of the moment often associated with our faithful obedience to Christ. Paul considered the sacrificial giving of the church in Philippi (see Philippians 4:18) and told them that the LORD will meet their need. Because of their service to Christ and the apostle, they now were in a greater state of necessity. And that is where our needs arise. Our willing service to the King of kings is the seeking after His kingdom, and for our obedience to Him, we have needs. There is no indication how the LORD will meet that need, either through our own work, through the generosity of others or by some other method, but God has never failed to do exactly as He promised. At every point of need, the LORD will provide. What will not be provided by God is the satisfaction of our covetous whims.
 
Finally, there is an abundant supply. God will provide for all our needs “according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” It is only in Christ that these promises find their fulfillment. Paul said as much in 2 Corinthians 1:20, “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him [Christ]. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.” God, alone, has access to the fulness of riches that can be provided to the saints. But this storehouse is richly abundant and He is able to provide all things for His glory. And, if on some occasion there is little provision in this world, then hold your faith secure in knowing that you will be amply supplied when you arrive in His presence. There are times when God, for His own purposes, withholds His bounty while we are in this world. He does it for our good, knowing that it will be to our benefit.
 
So, beloved, we must have confidence in God. Do not look to the treasury of the LORD, but look to the LORD and trust that He will provide according to your need, in conjunction with His will.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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