And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NLT
The news was bad … again. It typically was.
I rarely enjoy filling out my annual state and federal tax forms. While I have received meager refunds for a few years, I usually owe at least one entity—often both.
One particular year had been difficult financially. A supply-preaching opportunity had helped, but adding that income to my usual income caused bad tax news. My wife used an online service to calculate the results.
“Well,” she mumbled, “we owe $1300 to the federal but will get a refund from the state.”
My countenance fell. I knew we wouldn’t see the state refund. We owed the local hospital, and they’d snatch our refund. But where would we get the money to pay our federal tax obligation?
One month after this discouraging news, we received encouraging news. The church where I had filled in now extended me the call to be their full-time pastor. Just in the nick of time to give us enough to pay our tax bill. Once again, God reminded us he would supply.
Paul was quick to acknowledge that God took care of him. When I read about his life’s challenges, I wonder how he could say that. God supplied his needs—but seldom in the manner he expected.
I’ve noticed God’s way of doing things isn’t usually how I might do them. That includes how he supplied our needs. We planned to contact the IRS and set up a payment plan. God had another plan—one that paid the taxes in full.
God’s manner of meeting our needs doesn’t always occur in the time frame we might imagine. Sometimes his supply comes over an extended period. At other times, as in our situation, he can meet the need in a split second.
God can provide for our needs without the help of others but generally chooses to use others. In our case, He used a church. There have also been times when he used people who were not aware at the moment that he was using them.
God is trustworthy. While his supply hasn’t always been what I might have wanted, it has always been just enough and what I needed. And along with the supply came the ability to endure—however long it took until he met the need fully.
Trust God to supply your needs.
Father, I thank you that I can always trust you to meet whatever needs I have.
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