Char November 27, 2009 at 7:40 PM

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Praise the Lord! He does provide!

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Katy November 27, 2009 at 7:40 PM

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Amen! God is BIG and He sure does provide

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Melissa November 27, 2009 at 7:40 PM

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Okay…I’m going to play devil’s advocate here (and please readers, no judgment- Amy knows where I am coming from). Would you say the same thing about someone who has to file bankruptcy because of medical bills? I mean, I suppose you could say that He provided the opportunity of bankruptcy to wipe the slate clean…what about the person who is unable to file for bankruptcy and loses their home? If they are then shelter-bound I guess you could say He provided a roof over their head. I think my question is: Why are His provisions so different for each of us? What about the mother who has to sell her daughter into prostitution in order to pay bills? Is she provided for? What about her daughter? Anyways…I’ve always wondered whether it’s provision or just plain luck. I’m afraid I’ve read one too many stories of people (seemingly) not being provided for over the course of their life (the child prostitute who contracts a multitude of STDs is most vivid in my mind). Obviously there are times when I am sure God wants to provide and humans get in the way. This is just one of the faith-related questions that keeps me up at night. By the way, obviously I am very happy that Ellie was seen and is better. I would completely feel the same way that you do- although when that kind of stuff happens to me I always wonder. Hey, we’re supposed to question, right?

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Amy Reply:
November 28th, 2009 at 8:39 pm

My dear Melissa- I love your brain. I love how you aren’t afraid to question- and I know that when you ask questions- it’s because you want to press in deeper. Because you want the answers… and truthfully, I wish I had them- but a lot of times I don’t. With provision… I know what I KNOW to be true in my heart, and that is… that as I honor God with my life He will meet my needs (that’s a promise in scripture). What that looks like might be very different from person to person and from needs vs. wants. I also think that universally- God wants to meet all of our needs (different from wants)- but that we live in a fallen world and we make fallen choices- and to be in a place of life and heart to be on the receiving end of His intended provision… we need to follow God’s plan for our lives- living in such a way that brings Him honor. I don’t believe that anyone honoring God with their life would ever be placed in a position to sell their daughter in to prostitution. Not ever. That’s when it can be hard to ask what’s going on behind the scenes and in the spiritual realm in those situations. What I know for sure, is that everything that comes along with our fallen-ness is harder on God’s heart than it is on mine… so knowing that, and because I know Him, I wrestle when I want to wrestle with these tough issues… and then I rest in what I know… that He is God… that He is good… and that He provides.

love you friend!

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Char November 27, 2009 at 7:40 PM

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Good questions, Melissa- I think you can break down the word and see that God does always provide….it might not be the way we assume or predict. He tells us in His word that there is always a way of escape… Provision basically means- for-seeing…

Pro- a Latin preposition meaning “for”; Vision- “to see”.. I would say that the character of God is ALWAYS provision, because his nature is that HE is a loving father. He never chooses the diseased path… but I think what you said here is the truth all the time there isn’t provision- “Obviously there are times when I am sure God wants to provide and humans get in the way.”

As I look at my entire life….it isn’t about me…but God has ALWAYS provided for me…never left me hanging; even when I didn’t recognize it.

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Melissa November 27, 2009 at 7:40 PM

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Thank you Amy and Char for your thoughtful responses. I especially liked Char’s breakdown on the word “provision.” That is very helpful. I’ve given your post and mine quite a bit of thought. I do think that God does provide for everyone but many times humans stand in the way. For instance, in your situation Amy the dr. had to agree to see Ellie. He or she could have said no. Sometimes we stand in God’s way with something small like being unkind or not treating others the way we would want to be treated (my big struggle) or something huge like torture, war or genocide.

I do disagree with the idea : “I don’t believe that anyone honoring God with their life would ever be placed in a position to sell their daughter in to prostitution. Not ever.” Isn’t that the same as “God does not let bad things happen to good people?” Where is the grace and love? In my opinion, God’s grace is for everyone, not just believers. I know that there are verses that would agree and disagree with my viewpoint. I just can’t worship a God who picks and chooses. This question begs another question: What does it mean to “honor God?” In my opinion Ghandi honored God but was not a Christian. George W. Bush thought that he was honoring God when he started two wars. As you can imagine, I disagree.

I think what I am realizing is that there are so many ways to view Christianity and we each have to choose our own route. I don’t think we are meant to agree on everything. Amy, thank you so much for your blog and for your willingness to respond to my questions. You are right, God does provide and I need to rest in that knowledge…even when I can’t see what is going on.

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Amy Reply:
November 30th, 2009 at 3:14 am

I love to dialog with you Mel- something I miss the most about my CPS days is long conversations over fountain coke with you!!! I did want to clarify further what I meant by “I don’t believe that anyone honoring God with their life would ever be placed in a position to sell their daughter in to prostitution. Not ever.” What I mean is that in order for God to demonstrate His faithfulness to us, He would never call us or direct us to enter into sin… that He would never use sin to meet our needs. Sure, we do… I DO… quite often… but that’s a misguided attempt at having a need met, even if the need appears temporarily fulfilled. When something that doesn’t line up with the word of God and His heart for us is present in our lives (even if it seems that the end justifies the means) I do not believe that it comes from God. I believe that His plan- be it of provision, salvation, etc… will ALWAYS honor His Word. That is full of grace and love… it’s just our humanity that gets in the way.

Thanks for the great discussion ladies

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Char November 27, 2009 at 7:40 PM

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Melissa- I think you are right…God doesn’t pick and choose who HE loves and His provision is always available….as is- His healing, love, salvation, etc. I say this because I have known MANY people who are not believers who have seen provision, miraculous healing, etc. As an example, I have a niece who had non-hodgkins lymphoma. She was not (and is still not) a Believer. I prayed for her ALOT. She didn’t see miraculous healing like I have in many other people (including non believers), but she was healed….AND…she is now a business owner of a WIG SHOP. She would have never walked into that shop, started wearing wigs, become friends with the owner, etc…if she had never had to face cancer. Her life is BETTER today through that experience (I just chatted with her about it yesterday). Am I saying that God gave her cancer..ABSOLUTELY NOT. Disease is from the fall…sin..this world….but, “All things work together for the good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose” Rom 8:28. I think HE is calling her to Himself…everyday. He whispers his love for her because HE is a good father.

Honor is an interesting concept and one that is not well understood in the church. I would encourage you to go to ibethel.org if you are interested in hearing some good messages on honor (and other stuff to). But I would say based on the pure basic definition of the English word, honoring God is worshiping HIM, recognizing that His Character is above reproach, deferring our WILL to HIS Will, and not judging his character on circumstances…but on the pure truth (found in the bible and confirmed time and time again in our lives). Great discussion! Love it!

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Alli November 27, 2009 at 7:40 PM

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Amy – Remember my dream? “The Lord Will Provide.” Genesis 22. This chapter where the Lord shows his provision to Abraham. And it is certainly not him providing resources, food, money, etc… it is the Lord providing what is most needed – a purification of Abraham’s faith and deliverance of fear. The Lord provides for Abraham the needed sacrifice and in the process Abraham learns to trust. that He is Good. The Lord provides indeed.

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Melissa November 27, 2009 at 7:40 PM

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I think I need to clarify what I meant. First, I should mention that lately I’ve been trying to think less as an “American” Christian. I’m trying to think of situations outside of what I see on a day to day basis which is why I mentioned prostitution. I agree with you- I don’t think God would call anyone into sin-although sometimes that is the only choice for people when humans commit wrong. When I was writing this I was thinking of the children who are essentially kidnapped from their parents and forced into the sex trade. I can’t think of a worse fate for a child. Some parents are “forced” to do this in order to spare the rest of the family from starvation. I’m certain that some of these children are rescued or live lives that somewhat resemble “living” but many are killed and essentially thrown away. Another example would be stealing food because no one will give you food. It’s wrong but necessary. I could go on and on but lucky for you, I won’t. For me there is just so much grey area. I need to find a philosophy class or something like it because it’s so interesting to hear other people’s take on the Bible. Thanks again for your response. You too Char.

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