Do we rely on God to provide everything we need?
Luke 9:1-9
When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5 If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.
7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, 8 others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. 9 But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him.
When my eldest child was a toddler, going out anywhere was like packing for a week in the wilderness. I packed spare nappies and wipes, spare clothes, spare spare clothes, savoury snacks, sweet snacks, healthy snacks; and in the event that I forgot anything, I could usually rely on my EFTPOS card to provide for the shortfall. There was no way I was getting caught unawares. I think every new parent can relate…
In this passage, Jesus sends out his disciples with these words: “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, no bag, no bread… no extra shirt.” These words are scary. The challenge here is to rely on God to provide everything. But to take it one step further, he tells them to take “no money”. Not only are they to go with no provisions, but they have no fall back to buy supplies if provisions are not forthcoming.
But why do we find this idea scary? What is really going on in our hearts here? Do we see money as the fall back if God doesn’t provide? Do we rely on God to provide EVERY-thing? Do we trust that what God does provide is everything we need? Or have we placed trust in money to provide over and above God?
Head: Think about what the instruction to the disciples actually requires of them, and what might be an equivalent situation for you.
Heart: How would you feel in this situation if you had to totally rely on God for everything you needed?
Hands: What is one situation today where you can totally rely on God?
Prayer: Dear heavenly father. You know our every need. Thank you that you do provide everything we need. Thank you for sending Jesus to satisfy our ultimate need – the need to be back in relationship with you. We pray for those times when we look to idols to provide for us, like money and power. We pray that will soften our hearts, and help us to rely on your perfect provision.
A song to listen to: Only You Can Satisfy
Vicki Meehan- Creek Road Presbyterian Church- Carina
