OUR GREAT PROVIDER

Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Then Hannah prayed and said:

The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength.
Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry hunger no more.
She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away.

The Lord sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts. He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap; He seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.

1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 7-8

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

We serve a God who is infinitely powerful and sovereign above all…a God who is perfect in holiness and righteousness…a God who delivers and a God who knows us and everything we do. These are the reasons for praising God that Hannah highlights in her prayer of adoration in 1st Samuel, Chapter 2. But there’s more still. Far more.

In today’s scripture, we see Hannah reminding is that God is our great Provider and looks after those who are less fortunate. For those who stumble are given strength as they struggle to keep from falling. This is affirmed by the word of God in the 37th Psalm which tells us:

If the Lord delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand. Psalm 37:23-24

Given that God’s promises are always true, I’m sure there are many who can testify to the validity of these words and how God has worked wonders in their lives when they were in difficulty. I know I can. And if you are presently in tough circumstances, take comfort in these words because the day is ahead when God is going to make things work out for you. He does come to the aid of the poor and needy…His word assures this so be patient, trust Him and allow His will to be done in your life. He will not allow you to fall, will arm you with strength and will uphold you with His hand…just as He said He would. Indeed, He will make the way for us and help us until we get there thus we should always be in the spirit of praise, knowing that even when times are hard, God is working things out in and around us.

As in Hannah’s case and Rachel, Leah and Sarah before her, God blesses women with the privilege to bear children. In all these cases, He opened the women’s’ wombs and allowed them to conceive…taking them from the grips of cultural shame to the place of honor and joy and praise. And He did this because it was His will to do so. In our scripture passage, Hannah highlights that the barren woman did not just bear one child but seven, underscoring the rich bounty that comes when God blesses…and because of His blessings…all blessings…we are taken to a place of praise.

Finally, this scripture passage not only speaks to those who are in need but those who have plenty as well. For they have also received blessings because it was God’s will to bless them. Thus, they are not to be arrogant or prideful. They are not to become selfish and self-serving. They are not to carry themselves as if they are better than others. Because God can just as easily take away as He gives.

We know this because His word says so. For the “Lord sends poverty and wealth”…”He humbles and He exalts”. If you are wealthy, it’s because it’s the Lord’s will for you to experience a period of wealth. If you are going through a period of poverty, it’s because it’s the Lord will for you to be going through that as well. In either instance, the Lord is working to instruct you so you might become a more faithful, dedicated servant to Him and others. And if you choose to sin in the midst of any circumstance…rich or poor…remember that the Lord not only has the power to exalt but humble as well. I don’t know about you but I would rather choose to live humbly myself than have the Lord have to teach me a lesson in humility.

All and all, I’m so thankful that we serve a Lord who keeps us in check…who teaches us that all things come from Him. Indeed, He is our Great Provider and thus gives us one more reason to praise Him. Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.

http://www.faithhopeandlove.info/

Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com