In a world filled with anxiety and fear of the unknown, we have assurance that our God will provide. He will come through in ways that will leave us in awe. I have so many instances in life where things worked out in such a way that I knew ONLY GOD could do this. I have been deep in grief and despair and when I came out the other side of it I saw how God was with me through it all.
Psalm 16 has been called a psalm of security. Verse 5 is just one short sentence, but in it we discover that our God is a provider; it reads,
“5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.”
The first part of the verse “chosen portion and my cup” likely refers to the portion of food that God gives. Food is a basic human need that most, if not all of us, have never had to worry about. But what we can gather here is that when we are a child of God, he will take care of our human needs. He is our provider and that should bring us so much peace.
We find one example of God providing in 1 Kings 19:1-8. Following a huge triumph over the prophets of Baal the queen wanted Elijah dead. Elijah fled to the wilderness and was depressed. He wanted to die but God sent ravens to bring him food and water until he told him to continue on his journey. God used the birds to take care of his servant.
If you are like me you may wonder, what does that look like for me here in 2024? In this day and age God may not send birds, he may send you. Are you ready to provide for the servants of God? In James 2:15-16 we read about caring for someone's physical needs to reach them with the gospel. Many of us have an abundance, but God did not bless us with this abundance so we could be hoarders and selfish. Our cup overflows so that we can bless others.
So as we look at the first part of Psalm 16:5 the main theme is trusting God to be our provider; as we dig deeper into what that looks like, we need to realize our part in that provision.
Let’s break this into two more sub-points that will help us walk away with some application from this passage: the mindset and the method. The mindset refers to how knowing God is our provider changes our thinking. The method refers to actions we can take.
An illustration of this mindset is my son. My three-year-old son is still blissfully unaware. He should be, he is three. He has no idea that Mommy and Daddy work to pay for our house and to buy food. All he knows is that when he is hungry, he eats; when he is cold, he has a coat. He knows that if he cries out in the middle of the night mommy or daddy will check on him.
He knows that he has a family that loves him and gives him whatever he needs. Eventually, he will learn that many things in life come at a cost. Eventually, he will learn how the world works, but for now, he gets to enjoy the privilege of not worrying.
We have that privilege too, but within knowledge of the world. We know how the world works, and we know things cost money, but we have the privilege of not worrying because we have a God who provides. The question is, why do we still worry?
It can be hard not to worry about the cares of this world, especially when things do not go as planned and the reality of having to pay bills is there. Often when it comes to anxiety and worry we are pointed to Philippians 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing.” But when you are in the midst of anxiety that may not be the best place to start. If your child is afraid you don’t just say “don’t be afraid” and leave it at that; you tell them why they have no reason to fear.
So for me, the “why” is important. In times of stress and worry I like to meditate on Psalm 139. This helps me be in a better place to receive Philippians 4:6.
Psalm 139 is so beautifully written. I highly recommend reading this psalm fully when you get a chance. The psalm describes how well God knows us and that there is no place we can go where he will not be with us.
Verses 1 and 2 of Psalm 139 read:
“O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
2 You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.”
3 You search out my path and my lying down and
are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.“
The Lord of heaven KNOWS YOU. He knows you inside and out. Better than that, he loves you and proved that love by sending Jesus (Romans 5:8) and he is protecting you. Our Father knows us and knows our every need. Once you can internalize that part, then you can read Philippians 4:6 and pray to the Father with a clear mind.
So the mindset that we should have is that of a child. I don’t know how, but I know my father will provide. I don’t know when, but I know my father will provide. I don’t know what it will look like, but I know my father will provide.
God has many methods to provide for us, but I want to highlight the family of God. I want to talk about community. When God created Eve he did so much more than create marriage. He created family and community.
When our babies were born, we did not pay for or cook a meal for weeks, the family of God provided for us. This is something our congregation does regularly, but I did have to ask for it. How often do we need help but because of pride or whatever reason we neglect to ask? The Bible says in Matthew 7:7-8,
“7 ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.’”
Many people would jump at the opportunity to help others if they simply asked.
When we have abundance, we have to look for ways to share. God provides for us, so let us use what we have to help others. Our cup is overflowing so that we can fill others' cups who may need more. We need to have the mindset that Isaiah had in Isaiah 6:8, “Here I am, send me.”
Jesus gave his disciples examples (Mathew 25:35-45).
He gives all of these examples of ministry and the people are confused saying when did we do these things?
Jesus said, “When you did it for the least of these you did it for me.”
We have to use what we have to minister to others.
So the mindset is that of a child. The method is the servants of God.
God uses his people to provide for each other. Are you letting God use you for his glory?
