What We Need

When we need some material possessions or services, we try to find a way to purchase them. We must gather the financial resources to make the purchase. If we don’t currently have the resources, then we will have to depend upon others to help us in the form of loans or gifts.

Psalm 50:10-11 says, “For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine.” God doesn’t need anything from us, as all things are His possession. Instead, He offers us the opportunity to trust Him as our Provider and Protector. He is always working for the good of those who love Him, promising to provide for all our needs.

Flowing Streams

As a diabetic, sometimes I develop a strong thirst that needs to be satisfied. It has never been to the point of feeling like I am crawling in a desert searching for a stream, but it is quite strong. I am not satisfied until I find some refreshment.

Psalm 42:1-2 says, “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?” God has placed within every heart a desire to know Him. It is a deep thirst that cannot be quenched by anything else. We can deny it or seek to satisfy this thirst with self-satisfying thoughts and activities. But the thirst will always remain until we know Him through placing our faith in Him and see Him face to face in eternity.

Getting Things Done

To do great things we must first do certain things. We need to identify the needs. Then, we need to ascertain who can best assist us in meeting those needs. Before we ask for this assistance, we should accurately assess our interests in these needs. Then, we should gather the resources needed to accomplish the task.

James 5:16 says, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.” God answers prayers. But He promises great power and wonderful results to those whose sins are forgiven and are living by faith, while they pray with a fervent spirit. Persistence and earnestness in prayer move the heart of our loving Heavenly Father. He has all the resources needed to answer our prayers. He is just waiting upon us to ask according to righteous motives and earnestness.

Knowing My Thoughts

My wife and I have been married more than 50 years. Sometimes, we will be in a conversation with other people, and still know what our spouse is thinking. However, this knowledge is not complete nor always accurate. When our first two children were very young, our toddler daughter would tell us what her baby brother was thinking. She did this so much and so accurately that her brother didn’t need to talk very often and was late in developing his language skills.

Psalm 40:17 says, “As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!” We have nothing to offer our God, but His thoughts and love are upon us constantly. Accurately and completely knowing our needs and desperate cries, God helps us and delivers us.

Counselor With Me

We can and do get advice from a variety of sources. Counselors can offer wisdom that helps. But counselors do not often go with us to help us implement their advice. They don’t stay with us to remind us what we should do.

Psalm 16:7-8 says, “I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” The Lord offers us counsel so that we may know the right things to do and the things that will truly help us. He promised to never forsake us, so He is always there to give us the strength that we need to implement His wisdom. It is our responsibility to meditate upon these things. When we then follow the Lord’s counsel, we will not be shaken because He is there with us.