All These Things...

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For some of us there is snow on the ground and a distinct chill in the air. But it is summer somewhere!

Still, though there are no tomatoes in my garden (not that there ever were!) I can still buy them in the grocery store. Provision has been made somewhere, somehow, for my BLT even in January.

That’s a God thing.

Genesis 1 describes how our Creator God brought into being all that we, the last pieces of His creative genius, need.

Then He rested: “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done” (Genesis 2:2-3). He didn’t need the rest—but He knew that we would so He set the example. He even made that day a holy one, a time for spiritual renewal. Even in that our great God made provision for us.

When God created the first of our ancestors, He placed them in a garden (2:8). And in that place was everything they could possibly need—including the companionship of each other! (2:18). The task of the first couple was to work in the garden, take care of it, and enjoy it fruits (with the exception of one single tree).

Every provision was made.

Every provision IS made still.

Somewhere a tomato with my name on it is growing—even if it isn’t in my back yard in January, or June.

A new year always seems to cause us to look back as much as it causes us to look forward. I remember times when money was scarce, when I wondered how I was going to come up with rent money and pay for groceries. Those were the days when Matthew 6:33 became a lifeline for me: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” The context here revolves around God’s provision of food and clothing. Jesus modeled for us the truth of this teaching by living the life of an itinerant teacher, without a permanent home or paying job to provide Him and His followers with food and shelter. He followed His Father, and His Father made provision for Him. Sometimes the supply was miraculous, but I never went without.

He has been providing for us since the beginning of history.

And now, at the beginning of a new year, I am thankful again that He still does what He did for that first couple so many, many years ago—He still provides. In Him, and with Him, we have everything that we need.