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God's Words For US
by Cecelia Lester
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
The Apostle Paul closes off his letter to the believers at Philippi with this encouraging thought.
Paul wrote this letter to them in order to lift their spirits about the state he was in. He was under house arrest in Rome and awaiting word about the final disposition of his case. Let’s look at this closing remark and see how it can bring comfort to new believers even in our 21th Century world.
“ . . my God will meet . . .”
Paul does two things in this phrase. He identifies God, not as some distant person but as someone he knows. There is a belief that God made the world and then chose not to interact with it or anyone He placed in it. That sounds very harsh to those who know Him personally. This way of thinking is called ‘Deism.’ We have recorded evidence through the Bible that God chose to be involved with His children.
He tells us God will meet, will fill, our needs. He doesn’t look down from heaven and say, “Look at that mess my children have gotten them into. I hope they find a way to get out of it.” Paul uses the word “will.” He doesn’t say “I hope.” Or “God might.” He says with certainty “God will.”
“. . . all your needs. . . ”
Notice he quantifies this phrase. Paul says “all” not “a few” or “some.” In the Garden of Eden, God took care of all Adam and Eve’s needs. Paul said God would also take care of the needs of the Philippian believers.
“. . . according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
To what degree does God take care of these needs? He calls all the power He has into use.
He pulls out all stops. He uses what He needs to fulfill any lack His children have.
He participates with us in our lives because He loves us. We should always remember that God sent His Son to the cross and let Him die for our sins.
“What distinction does Paul say that God m a k e in this verse?”
Paul tells his readers, then and now, that God will meet their, and our, needs not our wants. If He would give us anything we want, we would be spoiled. If you have ever been around a spoiled child, you know how their presence made you feel.
My Sunday school teacher tells the story of his oldest grandson and that boy’s mother. They would go to the store and the grandson would say, “I want that,” at every turn in the store. This went on during several visits. Each time the mother had to tell him, “No.” One day she told him, “We don’t always get what we want; we have to get what we need.” After that, each time they went to the store, the small boy said, “I need that.” I need that.” “I need that.”
God will take care of our need, whatever it is. It will be in His time. Our job is to be patient.
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Cecelia Lester has been serious about her writing for over two decades..
She composes Christian essays and posts them to her blog quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/
She has served in a faith-based organization, Grace In Action by writing two newsletters and searching for possible grants.
In July 2017, she published her first book, 'Times of Trouble Bring Rays of Joy.'
She and her husband of 54 years live in central Indiana. They have one grown son.
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