Jireh

 If He dresses the lilies with beauty and splendor
How much more will He clothe you?
How much more will He clothe you?
If He watched over every sparrow
How much more does He love you?
How much more does He love you?

Lately, I’ve been pondering the goodness and the promise of the provision of God. Our Father is Jireh, our Provider. Do I truly live with this mentality and belief? Do I fully depend on His provision, or do I lean more on what I think I need and should have? These questions, I believe, are ones that if we are truly honest with ourselves, can reveal a lot. 

The Lord is faithful. He knows exactly what we need when we need it. 

Doesn’t God always show up on time? Isn't it always us that gets in the way and us who try to take control? 

Today, let’s refocus and reset our minds on what the scripture says about how Jesus takes care of each of us. 

Patience + Faith is what we need when we create space for God to do what He does best. 

Do you worry? Sometimes it's hard not to, right? 

Because God knows us SO well, He reminds us in Matthew 6:25-34 about worrying, trusting, having faith, and depending on Him for all that we need. Let’s check it out:

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?  Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

 I’m not saying that you worry, but if you know anyone who does, it doesn’t solve or change anything, does it? Worry doesn’t add a single moment to our lives like it says in Matthew 6, does it? If anything, it just heightens the situation and puts everyone on edge. It creates stress.

These verses remind us each day that we are valuable to Him and that we can trust that He will take care of us every day.  

If you are like me and enjoy a fun shopping trip picking out a stylish outfit, this next verse will speak to you. Now don’t get me wrong here. I am not saying that shopping for clothing is wrong, but there is something about when we worry about clothing that I think it’s important for us to understand. 

Faith + Trust is what we must keep at the forefront when it comes to our needs. 

“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

Why do you have so little faith? That line just smacks us in the face, doesn’t it? 

God is clearly saying that faith is the key for us to fully trust that He will provide ALL the things that we need. 

Faith + Trust + Seek is what we should do each day before we even leave our homes so that we can live in the truth.

 “So, don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Did you catch that distinguishing part in these verses?  Well, just in case you missed it, here it is: 

An unbeliever’s mindset: 

“What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?” 

A believer’s mindset: 

“Seek the kingdom of God and live righteously and He will give you everything you need.”

I’m not talking about the most important question at the end of the day when you come home from work and ask: “What’s for dinner?” (just keeping it real). I just wanted to point out these very concise differences between unbelievers and believers in how we think and how we live. 

Faith + Trust – Worry 

We are not created to worry. In fact, we are created for God’s glory to be displayed through our lives. We must activate and let faith arise so that our lives can be living testimonies of God’s provision. This way we can declare, HE IS OUR JIREH. Say “NO” to WORRY and “YES” to His WORD. 

 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Patience + Faith + Trust + Seek  

God wants to be our JIREH with everything that we need for today. His faithfulness for today will carry into our tomorrows. He knows just what we need, right when we need it. Trust Him with the small things. Trust Him for the big things. Trust Him in all the in-between things. He wants to be our everything and supply our every need. 

Jesus is our everything. 

Patience + Faith + Trust + Seek = A person who relies fully on Jesus and does not worry. 

Let’s be people who live this out and speak of the provision of God. He is Jireh!

He is Faithful.

He loves you.

Bethany Marshall