Thankful Provision
In the United States, we celebrate a national holiday dedicated to thanking God for His provision. Governor William Bradford wrote that the Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving at Plymouth because “God gave them plenty.” In 1786, Congress proclaimed a day of Thanksgiving for God’s “goodness in general” and “His providence.” Abraham Lincoln referred to “the gracious gifts of the Most High God” and the “ever watchful providence of Almighty God” when he proclaimed an annual “day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” Thanksgiving is our response to God’s provision.
God is a provider. It is part of His character to provide for His people. In fact, one of His names is Jehovah-Jireh (Genesis 22:14), which means God will provide. God can get you anything, from anyone, anywhere, at any time. He is El Shaddai, God Almighty, He is enough, and He provides all things for us.
Matthew 6:32 tells us that our heavenly Father knows what we need and James 1:17 tells us that “Every good and perfect gift... ...comes down from the Father.” Here are some Biblical examples of God knowing the need and providing for it.
God provided food
For Adam in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:16),
During the famine through Joseph (Genesis 41:54),
To Elijah using ravens (1 Kings 17:6), a widow (1 Kings 17:15) and an angel (1 Kings 19:6), and
Through Jesus to 5,000 men (Mark 6:42) and later 4,000 men (Mark 8:8).
God provided clothing (tunics of skin) to Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21).
God provided protection to
Noah from the flood (Genesis 7:23),
Lot from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:29),
The Israelites from the Egyptian army (Exodus 14:30),
The Hebrew spies (Joshua 2:6) and later to Rahab (Joshua 6:23),
David from Saul (1 Samuel 18-26),
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego from the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:27),
Daniel from the lions (Daniel 6:22), and
Jonah from the sea (Jonah 1:17).
God provided income through
Supernatural oil for a widow (2 Kings 4:1-7),
A miraculous catch of fish (Luke 5:6), and
A coin in a fish’s mouth (Matthew 17:27).
God provided light to the Israelites through
A pillar of fire (Exodus 14:20) and
Making the sun stand still (Joshua 10:13)
God provided water for
Hagar and Ishmael (Genesis 21:19),
Elijah and all Israel after the drought (1 Kings 18:45),
The people of Jericho (2 Kings 2:21), and
Israel’s battle against Moab (2 Kings 3:20).
God provided safe passage across water for
The Israelites at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:29) and the Jordan River (Joshua 3:17),
Elijah and Elisha at the Jordan River (2 Kings 2:8, 14),
Jonah (Jonah 1:17),
Jesus and Peter (Matthew 14:29), and
Jesus and his disciples (Mark 4:39 and John 6:21).
God also provided wisdom for Solomon (1 Kings 3:12), fire for Elijah (1 Kings 18:38), wine for the wedding at Cana (John 2:9), military victories, healing, life, and salvations!
The Bible teems with evidence of God’s faithful provision in so many different circumstances. He truly is Jehovah-Jireh and El Shaddai, our Provider and God Almighty,and He “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). God shows no partiality (Acts 10:34) and He will do the same things for you that He did for others. Whatever your need--food, clothing, protection, money, light, water, safe passage, wisdom, fire, wine, victory, life, health, salvation, or something else--Jehovah-Jireh can provide it for you.
How has God provided for you? Are you excited about what God has done in your life? We want to rejoice with you! Send me your testimony.
Latest Blog Posts
