God Our Provider
http://www.praisecharts.com/live/articles/249/1/God-Our-Provider/Page1.html
Branon Dempsey
Branon Dempsey is the Editor-at-Large for PraiseCharts Live as well as the Director and Founder of Worship Team Training: a ministry for local church worship ministries. He has studied and been trained by members of Maranatha! Music and Integrity Music for worship ministry and composition. Branon lives in Cypress, Texas where he is also a Worship Leader/Songwriter and has been in ministry for over 17 years. Read more articles and blogs by Branon on PraiseCharts Live or visit him at www.worshipteamtraining.com. Check out the new sponsor Landing Page of Worship Team Training on PraiseCharts.By Branon Dempsey
Published on June 12, 2008
True, we are living in some critical times. Prices for gas beg the question if we should sell are to sell our cars in order to pay for fuel. Over production of food resources for alternative uses are driving up global farming costs as commodities decrease - it's just plain crazy!
As a nation, we try to find our resolve from government, but we walk away unsatisfied by the growing concerns and the diminishing resolutions. It’s funny how the news media reports on the declining economy and the housing market, yet we are left with information and no results to circumvent our current status. I guess what concerns me the most is where we place our hope and its value. From an Old Testament standpoint, we are no different from those who put their hope in God and those who put their hope in man. As we have remaining resources and power, what are we doing as Americans (and global countries) to help provide for others in the same way how God provides for us?
Isaiah was very much concerned about the declining progress and turmoil in his country. In fact, people were running to foreign gods to seek comfort and answers from their problems. As a nation, all turned away from God and sought man to deliver peace (idols that were made by man). Enemies were pressed on every side, while Israel played in sandboxes of sin. While their land was dying around them, Israelites were praying to the created for a resolve rather than to the Creator. Many people felt that God had abandoned them and their way to God was blocked. These are among the same reasons why people continue to run from God today.
However, God speaks through Isaiah to speak peace to the people in saying:
27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
and complain, O Israel,
"My way is hidden from the LORD;
my cause is disregarded by my God"?
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
It's just plain crazy. Everywhere we look in the US we are saturated by today’s news of rising
gas prices, food production concerns as well as the latest mud slinging
contest among presidential candidates. True we
are living in some critical times; but as we
have the remaining resources, can we do more to help provide for others in the same way how God
provides for us?
True, we are living in some critical times. Prices for gas beg the question if we should sell are to sell our cars in order to pay for fuel. Over production of food resources for alternative uses are driving up global farming costs as commodities decrease - it's just plain crazy!
As a nation, we try to find our resolve from government, but we walk away unsatisfied by the growing concerns and the diminishing resolutions. It’s funny how the news media reports on the declining economy and the housing market, yet we are left with information and no results to circumvent our current status. I guess what concerns me the most is where we place our hope and its value. From an Old Testament standpoint, we are no different from those who put their hope in God and those who put their hope in man. As we have remaining resources and power, what are we doing as Americans (and global countries) to help provide for others in the same way how God provides for us?
Isaiah was very much concerned about the declining progress and turmoil in his country. In fact, people were running to foreign gods to seek comfort and answers from their problems. As a nation, all turned away from God and sought man to deliver peace (idols that were made by man). Enemies were pressed on every side, while Israel played in sandboxes of sin. While their land was dying around them, Israelites were praying to the created for a resolve rather than to the Creator. Many people felt that God had abandoned them and their way to God was blocked. These are among the same reasons why people continue to run from God today.
However, God speaks through Isaiah to speak peace to the people in saying:
27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
and complain, O Israel,
"My way is hidden from the LORD;
my cause is disregarded by my God"?
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.