From: Ben Kelley
Subject: Our Provider

A few nights ago, I was very tired as I drove home from a local restuarant, where I had gone to eat a little supper and give Beth a some "quiet time", without me being home, making noise.  My body was having trouble that day with a new medication my Doctor wanted me to try.  I felt as if my body was a lead weight, with no energy reserve whatsoever; therefore,  I chose not to stop at a store and get a gallon of milk we needed at home; deciding I was just too tired.  A couple of hours later, Beth asked me to get her a small glass of milk to help settle her stomach.  The moment she asked, I felt bad instantly, for I realized we didn't have enough milk left to satisfy her need.  I thought, "I'm supposed to be the provider for this home.  I failed, now, my wife is suffering because of that.  I didn't fulfill my responsibility.  I have to admit to Beth, I failed to provide, as I have promised to do."  It may sound a little silly to you, but it bothered me, because I am concerned about her well-being.  This thought immediately came to me: "You are bothered because you didn't fulfill your responsibility, being the head of your home.  You failed to provide the needs of its members, for whom you are responsible.  Just think how that same thing would bother your Provider, the Lord God, Who is Jehovah Jireh!"  (That's one of the compound names God gives for Himself in Genesis, denoting His position as our Provider."  It means: "HE Who is, was, and will be (Jehovah), all-sufficient "(Jireh).  Many other times in the Scriptures, God tells us HE is our Provider." (Deuteronomy 31:6, Phillipians 4:19, Exodus 16:13, Matthew 6:28-33, 1 Timothy 6:17-19, to name a few instances.)  Since HE has stated HE is our Provider, HE has taken the responsibility of taking care of the things we need!!!!!!  I'm here to tell you, God takes His responsibilities seriously!  HE does not shirk them, as we so often do.  HE does what He says He will for the honor of His Name and His Word.  If HE fails to do what HE has promised, His Word would be torn and His Name dishonored.  That's not going to happen!!!! God, Who is Jehovah Jireh, will never be bothered by that thought!