Luke 22:35

What a delightful word is provision! It connotes comfort, satisfaction and security. Everyone is in need of provision. We need air to breathe, we need health to work, we need food to eat, we need clothes to wear and we need shelter from the elements – just to name a few. God is our ultimate provider. I am reminded of Moses’ words to the Israelites in Deuteronomy regarding this very subject:

7 The LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast desert. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything. Deut 2:7 (NIV)

Also of King David’s words in Psalm 145:

16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. Psalms 145:16 (NIV)

“Who considers these words enough? The hand of God being my chief provision and storehouse, is it not a shame to be anxiously careful for anything? Has the Lord all things in His hand? Then surely I shall receive what he has for me; none will be able to withhold it. Faith has always a free access to the treasures of God, who is never wanting. Christians have their chests and treasures in such a high place, even in God, that no thief can rob them, and they are sure to have enough in God; and though the Lord should try them with want a little while, yet he relieves them in due time: their bread must rain from heaven, rather than they should be left without. You need not, says Christ, seek these other things; they shall be brought to you, if ye only abide in me. If this does not comfort and strengthen us, nothing else will.” K. H. Von Bogatzky

31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matt 6:31-34 (NIV)

In our verse for today, Jesus recognized that His disciples had been faithful even though sent out in a very poor and penniless condition. In spite of this, they had lacked for nothing and readily agreed with His summation of their experience. They went forth in Jesus’ name with no worldly goods and had been taken care of.

“If God thus sends us out into the world, let us remember that those better than us have thus begun low. Despite this, they had lacked nothing; and they readily acknowledged it: ‘Nothing, Lord.’ It is good for us often to review the providences of God, and to observe how we have got through the hardships and difficulties we have met with. Christ is a good Master, and his service a good service; for though his servants may sometimes be brought low, yet he will help them. We must reckon ourselves well treated if we have had the necessary supports of life, though we have lived from hand to mouth. They had lacked nothing.” Matthew Henry

25 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. 26 They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. Psalms 37:25-26 (NIV)

Lastly, we must not forget Paul’s encouraging words to us through His letter written to the Philippians:

19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Phil 4:19-20 (NIV)

Believer, we must lean on the precious promises of God’s Word. Our God provides! Our God satisfies! Rest secure in Him today! May He alone be glorified!

“Always beside you is Another whose voice you may not hear, whose arm you may not feel, whose footprint you may not see. Nevertheless His Word is utterly to be trusted: "I cared for you in the wilderness." (Hosea 13:5) Elisabeth Elliot