The Lord Will Provide

As I laid in bed last night, my mind drifted off into mixing a review of the many activities of the day with thoughts of what my future may hold. It's in these moments when the light goes out that I lay there thinking of God and telling Him my innermost thoughts along with sharing my fears and emotions. Sometimes I just curl in a ball of quiet solitude before a God who is there...sometimes wondering...is He really there?

Many times before the light goes out, I meditate on the picture on the wall just above my dresser. This antique was given to us by a friend in Michigan some 14 years ago. The words based on Psalm 27 have stood as the theme of my adult life but in recent months they have meant even more to me. Every once in a while when Julie and I talk in bed about our uncertain future, she reads the words in that picture that hangs directly across from our bed. They remind me once again of the reality of my life that often gets lost in the emotions of daily struggle.

"The Lord Will Provide"

The words are not just a catchy marketing phrase or worthy sound bite or short twitter statement that checks our day. Each word underlines a true reality that is beyond my feelings and my activities.

"The"- This little word emphasizes that there is only one true God in my life. He has existed from before time and He created me and knows me. He is "The" God.

"Lord" - Lord is more than just a word denoting authority. It actually is derived from a word in the first testament that labels God as Yahweh. This revelation of God as Yahweh was significant because it describes God as a covenant-binding God. In other words, the God who is there is always there because He has promised to be there. He is present in my life because He promised to never leave me and a "promise is a promise is a promise"!

"Will" - This is a word of certainty existing without a doubt. It gives the tone of a God who has set the pattern of his presence in the past as a foundation for His presence now and tomorrow. The key here is - no doubt!

"Provide" - I am his child and He cares for his own. He is a good father that carries His children through the tough times when the dark sets in and hoplessness sinks its hooks in my soul. He has provided, He will provide today, and His provisions wait for me in my tomorrow.

Why would this little saying in a frame hanging over my dresser mean so much to me? Because today I am walking the line of reality verses my perception of reality. In the liminal transitions of life I fluctuate between God's reality and my perception of reality. As I face the uncertainty of my unemployment expiring next week and the fears of not having yet found a ministry job, I am tempted to chase my own logic, wisdom, and strategies for providing for my family.

The end result is anxiety, worry and fear of failure.

But those words return to haunt me and consume my thoughts. He is bound to me with His love. He has been there in the past, He WILL be there today and He WILL be there tomorrow and He DOES care.

The Lord Will Provide.

After all, a promise is a promise is a promise.