He Provides

Photo by iris godfrey -- Oregon Sunset over the ocean 1992

"...In the heavens he has pitched a tent for

the sun,

which is like a bridegroom coming forth

from his pavilion,

like a champion rejoicing to run his

course.

It rises at one end of the heavens

and makes its circuit to the other;

nothing is hidden from its heat."

Psalm 19:4b-6 NIV

What does the creation of the sun and the strength of the sun have to do with the Word of God, and just how does it display His glory and deity? For a number of years after the establishment of Psalm 19 Ministries, these few verses were a mystery to me. Oh, I understood how the sun is awesome...etc., but I knew there must be more. Indeed...!

When our God creates or establishes something, then He has already provided for its life. The sun is the avenue of the continuance of our physical life. Without the sun, no matter how good and right the creation of our earth, life could not be sustained. So before man was created and placed in His garden, the sun, moon and stars were in place (4th day). Provision for us was in place before we were in place. That understanding is called faith. He says it in another way in 2 Peter 1:3 (NIV),

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."

So, before Adam there was provision. This is an awesome understanding. Before we became Christians, there was the provision for all in our lives just waiting; before His call on our lives for full-time ministry, there was the provision for all He would call us to do waiting to be poured out; before we stepped up to receive, there is already the provision for that to come to completion. I could go on and on, but I believe you will put your own life struggles here to see that His call to faith has already provided for that faith in your life.

"...which is like a bridegroom coming forth from His pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat."

Not only is the provision there, but it is abundant. When it doesn't seem that way, then either we are perceiving matters from the flesh instead of the Spirit, or this is my idea and not His, or it is time to wait and see what He will do. That waiting is to be in peace and rest, not in hurry and scurry to accomplish what He has not. Somehow, we are always trying to make up for God's lack of action. This is so real in us. However, our efforts will not work the work of God. His own words confirm this in John 6:28-29 NIV.

"Then they asked him, 'What must we do to do the works God requires?' Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.'"

Our main work is that of resting or trusting. Read that passage in John in its context, and you will see he is talking to people who were following Him for what He was doing for them. They were anxious to know what they could "do," while He was intent on wanting them to trust in the Father.

The Lord's words to me through this passage in Psalm 19 is that we join in proclaiming His glory through His provision in His appointment resting. What a tall order! Yet, to believe it is to rest and watch. He will do what He has appointed in your life and in mine. It is all of Him. Praise His Holy Name!