Sustained!

Sustained!

And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 AMP

The Inspiration:

You cannot give what you do not have. You may make all the claims in the world, and boast about what you hold, but the truth is that before you owned it, someone else either made, had it or sold it or lost it. We make claims about things that we do not even fully understand, and make plans for tomorrow and the next, like people who can control their destinies by themselves. One thing that can be said by Paul was that he knew who God is, who he was and what he was empowered by God to do. He kept an eye on the permanent prize, not the physical possessions that were finite and non-lasting. He enjoyed all that life brought his way, as long as God permitted it, but he would not be concerned by what he did not have. What a life we would have if we could keep such a heart free from the pressures of power, possession and position.

The Contention:

Paul had tasted the opposite ends of the spectrum. He had persecuted Christians, sending many to prison, and some to their death, yet God would not let him go to waste. When he reached out to Paul, Paul came to experience God in a unique way. Paul's life story is that classical lesson in what God can do with a life that is totally surrendered to Him. If I want to hold on to what I think I have, it is not a problem, but I must not then complain that God seems to leave me to my own devices. He will not take care of, or preserve for all of eternity anything that has not been willingly committed to Him. He will not force Himself on anyone, but He will leave an indelible mark on any life that surrenders to Him. When I surrender, I have access to all of God: grace, mercy, provision, protection, power, prestige and all that life may demand from me. 

The Conclusion:

This is why Paul could say the words of today's verse. He spoke of God as a personal God; one he knew he could depend on to be faithful to His Word. He knew God as one who had all of life's provision under His control. Recall the first words of today's reflection: You cannot give what you do not have. If it is not yours, you do not own it, and you cannot give it out. If God says He can and will, be rest assured that He will and can do it. He will also do it in abundance, so you know that this had to be God. What is that thing that has become a burden on your heart? Is there a mountain proving to be too difficult for you to deal with? Is there a need that is weighing you down? Bring them all to the God Paul speaks about here. If He could give up Jesus as a sacrifice for my sin, what else can't He give? God's time of favour is here.