He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Deuteronomy 8:3
“The wisdom of providence is also greatly revealed in the manner of dispensing our portion to us. Many times it allows our wants to pinch hard, and many fears to arise, with a design to magnify the care and love of God in the supply of them (Deut 8:3). Providence so orders the case that faith and prayer come between our wants and His supplies. The goodness of God may be more magnified in our eyes by it. And now let me beg you to consider the good hand of providence that has provided for and suitably supplied you and yours all your days, and never failed you up to now. Labour to walk suitably to your experience of such mercies.”
John Flavel (1630-1691) in The Mystery of Divine Providence (London: W. Baynes & Son, 1820) 47.
I flew from Denver to San Diego yesterday and took this new header photo looking down on my home (pictured somewhere in the bottom left corner of the photo). Sophie and I are part way home and praying to make it back today. Safe travel is one of many gifts of God’s providence.
Sophie and I will have lots of windshield time for conversation. These are a few of the questions I have for her: How have you learned about God’s goodness through tough times and good ones this year? What has been the role of faith and prayer in your life and in your relationships? For what suitable supply are you grateful at this juncture of your journey?
Jenni and I are thrilled by all she’s learning in school, through her service at church, and in her growing, God-honoring relationship with her boyfriend, Peter. What we really get excited about is how she is is learning to “labour to walk suitably” as a result of her experiences.
What about you? We have found that when we live in obedience to God, we learn humble dependence on God. It’s only through the ups and downs of life that we learn how to live godly lives.