The pattern of provision by God’s hand in Scripture reveals to us that God provides at the moment it is needed and in response to our faith to ask for that provision.
James chapter four teaches us that “we have not because we ask not”, and then continues with admonishing us to ask God with the right motives.
“You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives…”
James 4:2b-3a, NIV
Throughout the lives of both Elijah and Elisha, we see God’s miraculous provision in the midst of a drought, a famine, and a widow needing to pay off her debt. And each time God shows up to provide for those that Elijah and Elisha are interceding for, the faith of the recipient is tested and stretched.
We need to have faith when asking God for provision.
And we need to learn what we can actually ask God for.
He desires to provide us strength to endure and become resilient. Grace and mercy are offered to us as well. It is helpful to ask for wisdom and understanding in our situations and to ask Him to intervene when no one else can. His provision goes beyond what our physical needs are. He brings us joy and enables us to choose contentment.
Reading the Bible opens us up to the things that we can seek the Lord for. He loves to provide for us.
I remember when I was a teenager and our family was struggling without a vehicle, how the Lord pressed it on my heart to ask Him to provide one for us. So there I was lying on our trampoline, looking up into the big blue sky, and asking God to give us a car.
It was no more than two days later that the head of our household drove home with a car! Our drought of not being able to get around ended quickly. God had heard and provided.
God’s provision for our family in that way and in response to my faith-filled prayer only increased my faith and trust that He would provide again.
I have asked God for some pretty big things. The greater the need, the greater our desperation for Him to help us becomes. And when He answers, the higher our hearts soar in gratitude and praise.
I have yet to go through a season in my life where my faith is not being pulled on to ask God for something only He can provide.
This reliance on Him to be our Provider is a good thing. It pleases the Lord when we look to Him for what we need.