I Don’t Have Enough; God Will Provide!

August 8, 2024

I Don’t Have Enough; God Will Provide!

God is able to do much more than we can think, dream, or imagine. 

In Ephesians 3:20-21 the Apostle Paul writes; “Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.  Amen.”

I confess there are times when I forget this promise of God…for me, for other people, for our country!

Last week, I shared two verses reminding us that God is able to provide exactly what we need.  The text in Romans says God is able to strengthen when we feel weak or inadequate.  The text in Hebrews reminds us that God is able to save us for abundant life now and eternal life in heaven.

Sometimes I forget that God is able to do far more than I can ask, imagine, or dream.  When I forget God will provide, I quickly begin to rely on my own wisdom, my own strength, and my own skills.  It becomes a dangerous way to live!

As I mentioned last week, my wife and I have been serving as the Health Care Power Of Attorney for her two brothers.  Although they are only two and four years older than me, their health is significantly compromised and complicated.

Each brother is struggling with a handful of different life-threatening health issues.  The nursing staff at the nursing home where they have been living the last ten months are eager to help in whatever ways they can.  At the same time, there are limits to the help they can provide because each of the brothers are very overweight.

Recently, my wife and I were reminded again that there is also limits to the help we can provide.  The reason is each of her brothers refuse to help themselves in ways that they are still able.  The situation leaves my wife and I feeling like we do not have enough time, enough energy, or enough knowledge to help them. 

The good news is God is able to provide when I do not have enough!

In II Corinthians 9:8, 11-12, the Apostle Paul writes words of encouragement to a church that has given a very generous gift to another church.  The generosity of the church in Corinth has stretched their resources to the point Paul believes it is important to remind them that God is still able to provide for their needs.  Paul writes;

“And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work….You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us, for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God.”

God is able to provide what I cannot earn, what I cannot gather up, and what I cannot create.  God is able to provide for the people about whom I care when I don’t know how or am not able.  God is able to provide for the people about whom I care when I don’t have the opportunity, the proximity, or the time.  God is able to provide for the people about whom I care when I can no longer see a way to through.

Sometimes we can feel we do not have enough.  Maybe I feel I don’t have enough close friends or a healthy family.  Maybe I feel I don’t have enough peace or joy or love.  Maybe I feel I don’t have enough resources or strength.  Maybe I feel I don’t have enough faith in Jesus or confidence in myself.  Maybe I feel I don’t have enough answered prayers or clarity regarding God’s dream for my life.

Whenever I begin to believe I do not have enough, I am reminded of the promise of Scripture that God will provide “far more abundantly” than what I think I need.  Although it is not always easy, I start with three things. 

I ask Jesus for help. 

I open myself to the Spirit’s stirring. 

I wait on the Lord God’s perfect timing. 

Then, at just the right time and in the right measure, Jesus provides for me or for another person through me in ways I could have never imagined.  Sometimes God’s provision is more, sometimes God’s provision is less, and sometimes God’s provision is different than what I expect.  The good news is God provides exacting what I need exactly when I need it most. 

Between the time of my asking and the time of God’s provision, I am called to trust God’s promise to provide.  When God’s promise is fulfilled, my heart will want to do nothing more than to give glory and honor to Christ our Lord. 

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug