God as Provider

As we draw closer to God the Father, we find that His very essence is to love, to give, to be more than self-contained. Although He is self-existent – He does not have un-met needs - the desire of His heart is to be intimately integrated into our lives. In other words, even though He does not need us - He wants us, He longs for us.

God desires to meet the needs of His creation, which is why the Hebrews came to call Him, Jehovah Jireh (the Lord will provide). To be beyond Himself is part of His character. And as you and I take on more of His character, we will reach out beyond ourselves to manifest to others what He is to us.

On Sunday, Jeff Brooks, talking about bearing the image of Christ, said, “Although we don’t look exactly like Him, people ought to get an idea of what He looks like by looking at us.” That is how it is supposed to work. Yet, we must admit, to be honest with God, and fair to ourselves, that there are times when we do not resemble Christ at all. There are times when our focus is on meeting our own needs, not the needs of others.

Weekly Project: This week our challenge is to look more like Christ – more days than not - for longer periods of time. Begin each day by choosing a trait of Christ that has impressed you: perhaps His devotion to prayer; or His willingness to embrace the unloved, or His propensity to confront sin in a firm, but caring way. Or maybe it is His attentiveness to the hurts and frustrations of those who feel overwhelmed by life.

Once you have chosen, then dedicate yourself to imitating Christ – just for the day – and just concerning that trait. Let others see His smile in you; feel His embrace from you; know His compassion because of you. And remember: the best way to say “thank you” to God, is to be like Him for others.

God as Comforter

Ecclesiastes 4:1 paints a rather bleak picture: Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed - and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors - and they have no comforter.

Here we find tears and oppression amidst the harsh realities of life. Of course, God told man that sin would indeed lead to difficulties (Genesis 3) – but historically, we are poor listeners.

Without God, man is indeed sans comforter. Without God, man’s opponents possess power which they intend to use against him. Without God…now that is a terrible place to be.

But with God – ah, with God we can find peace and contentment in all things. With God we can even find joy in the long journey. Yes, there will be pain and disappointment – but remember: we have God – and He can turn all mourning into dancing.

Weekly Project: Our contentment is not dependent on worldly devices (material things) – but on our intimate walk with God, the Comforter. But He will not force His comfort on us – so - to nurture that relationship, we need to divest ourselves of distractions. In other words – GIVE SOMETHING UP – DO WITHOUT THINGS – TRUST GOD TO FULFILL YOU. Abstain from materialism – for a definite period of time: a day, an evening, even an hour. Stop watching TV. Cease filling your time with technological distractions. Stop and listen for God. Sit with Him awhile. Trust Him to make the time valuable and fruitful. We will grow closer to Him in the process.

And while we’re at it, we may even find that the person who has been oppressing us…is ourself.