Trusting God's Provision: Living in His Abundance
Summary
In today's gathering, we delved into the profound truths of God's provision and the security found in His salvation. We explored the doctrine of God's protection and how it is often spoken of, yet not fully lived out by many. We sang of leaning on the everlasting arms and surrendering all to Jesus, but the challenge lies in truly living out this surrender and trust in God's deliverance and care.
We were reminded that God is intimately concerned with our lives. He is aware of our struggles, our needs, and our desires. We were encouraged to not just sit passively in church but to actively engage in discipleship and service, becoming kingdom workers, thereby growing our faith and spiritual confidence.
Drawing from Leviticus 25 and 1 Peter 5:7, we were taught about the security that comes from obedience to God's statutes. The Israelites were instructed to trust in God's provision during the Sabbath year, a time when they would not work the land. God promised to command a blessing in the sixth year that would sustain them for three years. This principle of trusting in God's provision, even when it defies our understanding, was emphasized as a key to living in the safety and abundance of God's care.
We were also reminded that God has a plan for each of us, a plan that is not thwarted by our failures or concerns. Our role is not to figure God out but to trust and obey Him, allowing Him to be God in our lives. As we do so, we can rest assured that He will work everything out for our good.
In conclusion, we were called to action, to step forward in faith, trusting that as we live according to God's will, He will command His blessing upon us, providing for us in ways that surpass our understanding and ability.
Key Takeaways:
- God's provision is not limited by our understanding or ability to work things out. When we obey His commands and rest in His promises, He supernaturally provides for our needs, as He did for the Israelites during the Sabbath year. This divine provision is a testament to His faithfulness and care for His children. [01:02:44]
- True security is found in the shadow of God's wings, where we can rest assured of His constant care and concern for us. This security is not just a concept but a tangible reality that we can experience daily as we walk in obedience and trust in His salvation. [42:01]
- God's knowledge of our lives is complete, encompassing both our successes and failures. His plan for us takes into account every detail, and His desire is to lead us into a life of blessing and fulfillment. Trusting in His omniscience allows us to walk confidently on the path He has set before us. [46:41]
- The act of giving, whether through tithes or offerings, is an expression of our trust in God's provision. As we give cheerfully and faithfully, we align ourselves with God's principles of stewardship and open the doors to His commanded blessings in our lives. [01:21:12]
- The transformation that comes from a life surrendered to God is profound and affects every aspect of our being, even to the point of restoring physical senses like taste. This change is a powerful testimony to the life-altering power of God's salvation and His ability to renew us completely. [01:10:05]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Leviticus 25:18-22
- 1 Peter 5:7
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions did God give the Israelites regarding the Sabbath year in Leviticus 25:18-22?
2. According to 1 Peter 5:7, what are we encouraged to do with our anxieties and why?
3. In the sermon, what examples were given to illustrate how people often fail to fully trust in God's provision? ([40:04])
4. How did the pastor describe the transformation that occurs when someone fully surrenders to God? ([01:10:05])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the promise of provision during the Sabbath year in Leviticus 25:18-22 teach us about God's faithfulness and our need for trust?
2. How does 1 Peter 5:7 relate to the concept of finding security in God's care as discussed in the sermon? ([39:02])
3. Why do you think many people struggle to live out the trust and surrender they sing about in church, according to the pastor? ([40:04])
4. How does the act of giving, as mentioned in the sermon, reflect our trust in God's provision? ([01:21:12])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled to trust in God's provision. What steps can you take to deepen your trust in Him this week? ([40:04])
2. The pastor emphasized the importance of active discipleship and service. What specific actions can you take to become more engaged in your church community? ([36:39])
3. How can you apply the principle of casting your anxieties on God in your daily life? Identify one specific anxiety you can give to God today. ([39:02])
4. Think about the concept of divine provision that defies understanding. How can you practice trusting God in areas of your life where you currently rely on your own understanding? ([48:18])
5. The sermon mentioned the transformation that comes from a life surrendered to God. What area of your life do you need to surrender to experience this transformation? ([01:10:05])
6. How can you incorporate the practice of cheerful and faithful giving into your financial habits as an expression of trust in God's provision? ([01:21:12])
7. The pastor spoke about the security found in God's care. What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of this security during times of doubt or fear? ([42:01])
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Provision Beyond Understanding
God's provision often transcends our human logic and capabilities. When we align ourselves with His commands and rest in His promises, we open ourselves up to His supernatural provision. Just as the Israelites were instructed to trust in God's provision during the Sabbath year, we too are called to trust in God's ability to provide for our needs in ways that we cannot foresee or understand. This trust is not passive; it is an active surrender to God's faithfulness, believing that He will sustain us as He has promised. This divine provision is a testament to His unwavering care and love for His children. [01:02:44]
"Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not." - Exodus 16:4 ESV
Reflection: How can you demonstrate trust in God's provision in a practical way this week, even when it seems counterintuitive to your current understanding?
Day 2: Security in God's Shadow
True security is found in the presence of God, where we are assured of His constant care and protection. This security is not an abstract concept but a tangible reality that we can experience in our daily lives. As we walk in obedience and trust in His salvation, we can rest in the knowledge that we are under the shadow of His wings, safe from the turmoil of the world. This assurance allows us to live with confidence and peace, knowing that our lives are in the hands of an all-powerful and loving God. [42:01]
"He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler." - Psalm 91:4 ESV
Reflection: What fears or anxieties can you surrender to God today, choosing to find refuge under His protective wings instead?
Day 3: Omniscience Guiding Our Path
God's complete knowledge of our lives includes our successes, failures, and every detail in between. His plan for us is comprehensive and takes into account all aspects of our existence. Trusting in His omniscience allows us to walk confidently on the path He has set before us, knowing that He desires to lead us into a life of blessing and fulfillment. This trust is not blind; it is rooted in the understanding that God's wisdom far exceeds our own and that His guidance is always for our ultimate good. [46:41]
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV
Reflection: Can you identify an area of your life where you need to trust God's omniscience more fully, and what step can you take today to relinquish control to Him?
Day 4: Trust Expressed Through Giving
Giving, whether through tithes or offerings, is a profound expression of our trust in God's provision. It is an act of faith that aligns us with God's principles of stewardship and generosity. As we give cheerfully and faithfully, we not only support the work of the kingdom but also open ourselves to the blessings that God has promised to those who live according to His principles. This act of giving is a tangible way to demonstrate our reliance on God's provision and our commitment to His purposes. [01:21:12]
"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." - 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 ESV
Reflection: What is one way you can practice generosity this week as a reflection of your trust in God's provision?
Day 5: Transformation Through Surrender
Surrendering to God leads to a profound transformation that affects every aspect of our being. This transformation is not superficial; it is a deep change that can restore and renew us completely, even to the point of affecting our physical senses. When we surrender our lives to God, we allow His salvation to work within us, changing us from the inside out. This change is a powerful testimony to the life-altering power of God's love and His ability to make all things new. [01:10:05]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
Reflection: What is one area of your life that you need to surrender to God, and what is a practical step you can take today to begin that process of transformation?
Quotes
- "We want to help God out. Okay, I'm a Christian and I believe in God, but I'm going to do this and this. I'm going to do all this stuff. Did you know this morning, God does not need your help. He has the plans." [57:05] (Download | )
- "God already knows what you're going through. Paul was sent out to do work for God. He was not sent out alone." [43:37] (Download | Download cropped video)
- "God told them, trust in me. Put your faith in me. Don't touch the ground in the seventh year. But God said, here's what I'm going to do. I'm going to command my blessing upon you." [01:02:44] (Download | Download cropped video)
- "God knows exactly what you're going through. He knows the good and the bad. He knows what you've been doing right. He also knows what you've been doing wrong." [46:41] (Download | )
- "God has a plan for you. God has a plan and if you will execute God's plan, he said, I will command my blessing upon you. It's going to work out." [01:11:20] (Download | )
- "God can help you to live without alcohol. God can help you live without the drugs. God can help you live without all these other things." [54:20] (Download | )
- "God is a prayer-answering God, and the more people begin to trust in this God, rather than all the things of this life, the more that God is able to meet every need." [44:26] (Download | )
- "God has a plan for you. He just come unto me all you that labor and are heavy laden. And I'll give you rest. When you begin to trust in God and allow God to bless you, there's nothing that God can't do." [49:56] (Download | )
- "God told them, trust in me. This is what I'm telling you to do. Work the field this many years and let God work everything out after that." [59:17] (Download | Download cropped video)
- "As you trust in him and give your tithe, your offerings unto Lord. So we're going to receive the offering in just a second here. And as you give to God this morning, believe God, trust in him." [01:21:12] (Download | )
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