August 24 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 116–118; 1 Corinthians 7:1–19

God’s Provision

See how the flowers of the field grow. . . . Will he not much more clothe you? Matthew 6:28, 30

READ Genesis 1:11–13, 29–30

We trekked deeper and deeper into the forest, venturing farther and farther away from the village at Yunnan Province, China. After an hour or so, we heard the deafening roar of the water. Quickening our steps, we soon reached a clearing and were greeted by a beautiful view of a curtain of white water cascading over the gray rocks. Spectacular!

Our hiking companions, who lived in the village we had left an hour earlier, decided that we should have a picnic. Great idea, but where was the food? We hadn’t brought any. My friends disappeared into the surrounding forest and returned with an assortment of fruits and vegetables and even some fish. The shuixiangcai looked strange with its small purple flowers, but tasted heavenly!

I was reminded that creation declares God’s extravagant provision. We can see proof of His generosity in “all sorts of seed-bearing plants, and trees with seed-bearing fruit” (Genesis 1:12 nlt). God has made and given us for food “every seed-bearing plant . . . and every tree that has fruit with seed in it” (v. 29).

Do you sometimes find it hard to trust God to meet your needs? Why not take a walk in nature? Let what you see remind you of Jesus’ assuring words: “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ . . . Your heavenly Father knows that you need [all these things]” (Matthew 6:31–32).

By Poh Fang Chia

How has God provided for you in the past? How can you continue to lean on His provision in the present?

Loving Father, You’re a generous provider. Help me to trust You to meet my needs.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

In addition to the creation accounts in Genesis 1 and 2, we find several passages in Scripture that portray God as Creator and Provider. Psalm 8 points to God’s hand in creation and His care for humanity: “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (vv. 3–4). In Job 38–39, God names many of the creatures and other wonders He’s created and His provision for them. Psalm 104 pictures God stretching “out the heavens like a tent” (v. 2) and declares, “All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time” (v. 27). The New Testament describes Jesus as the Creator (John 1:1–3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:15–17).