This is a bold and challenging Scripture. As I wrestled with it this week, I had to confront my own unbelief. I have never been without food, water, clothes, or anything else I need to sustain my physical well-being. I live in a privileged society, so it’s easy for me to declare this Scripture true, but also easy to explain it circumstantially. However, thinking about reading this Scripture to someone living in poverty where people are truly without left me feeling unqualified to write about it. I spoke to a friend who spent much of his life in a country where he and his brothers and sisters in Christ had to rely on God to meet many of their needs. He testified to me of ways the Lord would provide for them time and time again when circumstances seemed hopeless. He said God doesn’t always give you what you want, but when you trust in him as your Lord and Savior, he will always give you what you need. He brought the following Scripture up for me to read and said this is a promise they would often lean on and see fulfilled:
“I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing. Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever. For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints.” Psalm 37:25-28 ESV.
Though I have not faced the same challenges as my friend, I cannot deny God’s abundant blessings. James 1:17 says that all good things come from him; therefore, we can trust our lives to God because He is sovereign and good, and He is “God our provider,” Jehovah Jireh!