As believers we often speak about God’s provision. We trust God to provide what we need when we need it. Jesus explained it this way, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:25-33) A good example of provision is when God’s people were starving in the wilderness and He provided them with manna from heaven to eat. It could not be stored but was provided each day as it was needed.
While it is comforting to know that God will provide our physical needs, it is also thrilling to find that He provides us with much more. The Holy Spirit dwelling within us provides endless resources to accomplish any task God sets before us.
The Holy Spirit has been my guide, teacher, counselor and comforter over all of these years but I have only scratched the surface of the power I have within me as a result of his presence. Please don’t misunderstand, I am not “possessed” by God’s Spirit. He does not force me to do anything. He will only do for me what I ask of Him. When I ask for guidance He strongly prompts me to do God’s will. When I ask Him to teach me He opens my mind to God’s word and gives me a better understanding of the world around me. When I seek His counsel He always helps me make the right decision. When I needed comfort after losing my wife of fifty years to cancer He wiped away my tears and brought loving people into my life to make sure I was not alone. Sadly, there have been times in my life when I slid behind the wheel and took control of my life while the Holy Spirit waited patiently in the back seat until I would wind up in a ditch and beg Him to take the wheel again.
Once, I saw a fan at the ballpark with his baseball cap turned backward and sunglasses high on his head while he struggled to keep the sun out of his eyes by blocking it with his raised hand. I think that is the way we must appear to God when we ignore the resources He has provided and try to take matters into our own hands. Like that fan we don’t always put our resources to their best use. God help us to do better.