and my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. amen. [philippians 4:19-20]
God’s riches in glory. do we see them clearly? do we believe they are ours in Christ Jesus? do we trust that God has our good in mind? these are the questions i’m asking myself as i read this passage.
when we have expectations in this life, from the material things we desire, to the way we desire to be seen, to the success of our endeavors, we have some kind of reaction to the way those expectations play out. for example;
if i include bread in a grocery order, and it doesn’t end up in the bags, i react.
if i interview for a job, think i’m the best candidate, and don’t get it, i react.
if i make an offer on a house, it’s accepted, but the financing falls through, i react.
if i have a plan for a saturday activity, and for whatever reason i have to cancel it, i react.
these reactions to the way our lives play out are indicators to what we believe or disbelieve about God in our hearts. when we say we trust in God’s sovereignty, but we’re angry at a company for not hiring us, it’s indicating that we struggle with unbelief. when we say God works all things together for our good, but we’re anxious about a test coming up, we struggle with unbelief. when we say God is generous, but we strive for control over our health, we struggle with unbelief. when we say God is full of forgiveness, but we cannot forgive, we struggle with unbelief.
God will supply every need of ours. his riches in glory are endless, and they are ours in Christ Jesus. his glory is endless, his mercy is endless, generous grace toward us is endless. where do you struggle with unbelief in our God? look at the way you’ve reacted to things this week when your expectations weren’t met the way you wanted. did you respond in humble confidence to God’s promises? or did you respond in disbelief of his complete goodness?
let’s confess these things. if God’s glorious presence is our treasure, then we have been given endless provision in him! trust in God. he sees us. he knows us. he loves us, and he will never keep himself from his children. praise be to his name!
the young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. [psalm 34:10]
~arwen eastman