Completely Provided For | Qualities of Women Who Trust Jesus
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 4:19
Thirty years ago, a sheltered 12-year-old girl spent her non-school hours babysitting, practicing piano and asserting dominance over her little brother at Super Mario Bros.
Thirty years. So much has changed in the world, in myself; yet the more time I spend walking this planet, the more mysterious time becomes. It races, as if it were being chased, and whatever is behind it is gaining ground. The longer I live, the faster time has to fly. My 12-year-old self had no idea how or where she fit into human history and, to her, thirty years might as well have been an eternity. Now, a handful of decades doesn’t seem very long, barely a blip.
Approximately thirty years was all that sat between the day Jesus rose and the day Paul penned his letter to the church in Philippi. So much had changed in the world—and in Paul— within those short decades after Jesus’ death and resurrection; yet thirty years feels like nothing compared to the centuries between then and now. In those years, Paul learned first-hand what transformation feels like, and he spent the remainder of his life calling people, calling the church, to become who Jesus meant them to be.
Paul— imprisoned at the time— showed heartfelt care for the church in his famous letter to the Philippians. He thanked them for their financial support, gave them a report on how he was doing, and reminded them who they were becoming in this new life as Christians. By the power of God’s Spirit, they were maturing toward Christ-likeness, and Paul was eager for them to understand this new identity, allowing it to shape their behavior. What he wrote for them is also meant for us. He doesn’t merely describe how we are to act, he tells us who we are in Christ. We are humble (2:3-4); persistent (3:13-14); joyful (4:4); thankful (4:6) and content (4:11-13).
We are also provided for (4:19).
At the end of Paul’s letter, he addressed this key component, this enormous benefit of being a Christian: God’s provision. The same God who had provided for Paul through the generosity of the Christians in Philippi was the same God who would provide for all of their needs too.
Paul didn’t tell them that God provides according to their level of morality or how often they pray. God provides according to his riches in glory (4:19). Because God’s greatness is so much more than we can imagine, his ability to supply all of our needs is more accessible than we can imagine too.
It’s in His nature to provide, and we are the ones He provides for. There are days when it takes a great amount of mental energy to remember this, then having remembered, to believe that it’s true for us in particular. The next time we stand toe-to-toe with an enormous need, we can remember that enormous riches are at our Father’s disposal. Our empty emotional tanks and empty wallets are not so great that His supplies will come up short. We are His, and we are completely provided for.
For Your Journal
Find It:
In this portion of your journal, write out a Bible verse. You can find a verse that fits a current life situation or use the one we used in today’s devotion.
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 4:19
Fix It:
In this portion of your journal, pull out a few key words from the verse you chose above, or summarize the verse in your own words. Write it in pretty lettering or sketch something that will help you visualize the meaning of the verse and fix it in your mind. Repeat these words to yourself throughout the week to remind you of the truth contained in the scripture. Here are some options:
God will supply
EVERY Need
Riches in Glory
Feel It:
In this portion of your journal, write out a prayer. The goal is to absorb the meaning of the Bible passage and let it take root in your heart. Ask the Lord to let his word change you by the power of his Spirit so that you begin to feel like the new person you’re becoming in Christ. Surrender any areas of your life that you are trying to control.
Dear Lord, I want so much for your word to change me from the inside out. Help me to be a woman who believes that what you say is true. You are a God of never-ending, self-generating riches in glory. There’s no doubt that you’re not rattled by the needs in my life because you will always have more than enough to provide for me. Let this sink into my heart so that I can face my day with confidence and unshakeable peace. Amen.