My God Is a Provider

Could anyone speak of the Lord as a shepherd better than David? I don’t think so. Shepherding ran in his family. It had been his experience for years. He guided his family’s flock, gave his sheep names, led them to meadows of abundant pasture, searched for the lost one, restored the one that fell, and brought the straying one back to the fold. The sheep knew him.

In today’s society, human beings—and, sadly, some Christians belong to this group—live in a constant frenzy to meet their supposed needs. The boundary between desire and need seems to have given way, and the two concepts merge into a jumble of conflicting feelings that sometimes keep us from seeing God’s providence, leaving us to see instead the apparently “good” results of our own efforts.

Psalm 23 is a hymn of the promise of provision, comfort, and trust in the Lord. It is an allegro vivace in the symphony of the joy of the Lord (which is our strength!) in light of His promises to meet our needs. Paul, who showed this truth to the world more than anyone, said to the Philippians while in captivity, in the darkness of his dark cell: “Therefore, my God will give you everything you lack, according to the glorious riches He has in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). In the same letter, he also encouraged them to trust in God and pray as they sought God’s providence: “Do not be anxious about anything, but present everything to God in prayer; ask Him, and give Him thanks as well.” (Phil. 4:6)

What does the picture look like today? The culture of striving, of “I want more” and “I can do it,” has also made its way into the church of the Good Shepherd, sowing weeds among God’s people and stirring up a kind of self-sufficiency—pompous, vain, and far removed from the promised sufficiency of Christ, the sole provider and sustainer of our lives. “I can do it” does not let us rest in the green pastures that are the Lord’s arms, nor does it lead us beside the still waters of His Spirit, nor does it encourage or comfort us; rather, it burdens us with worldly expectations, characteristic of the flesh: fear, a crisis of faith, and, paradoxically, living as though orphaned from the grace we enjoy with Christ. “I can do it” (…apart from God we can do nothing—John 15:5—) will inevitably bring depression in the present and uncertainty about facing the future.

Can you say that the Lord is your shepherd and that you belong to His flock? Have you acknowledged Him as Lord? If you have not acknowledged Him as Lord of your life, it will be very difficult to experience Him as your shepherd. Jesus has not only promised to meet every need of those who acknowledge Him as Lord and ask Him in prayer. He also promises us an eternal dwelling and abundant blessing if we submit to Him in everything, so that all our needs may be met. Acknowledging Him as Lord will make your cup overflow each day with joy and blessings and will adorn your table forever with garlands of grace, because He is your shepherd, and mine. Psalm 23 is the very image of Christ: relational, personal, close to every emotion and passion that a heart grateful for the Lord’s provision and love can experience.

Are you in the fold? The Word brings hope: “As a shepherd cares for his sheep when they are scattered, so I will care for my sheep; I will rescue them from the places where they were scattered on a dark and stormy day.” (Ezek. 34:12) Do you experience the goodness and mercy that overflow from the cup of God’s love for His children?

Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Christ gave His life for His sheep and rose again. His fervent desire is that those who have not yet known Him draw near to Him and accept Him by faith as Lord and Savior. His Spirit will fill your cup to overflowing, quench your thirst, and meet even your deepest hidden need

God bless you!

Suggested reading: Psalm 23