God’s Promise to Provide All of Our Needs – Part 1
The next few posts are going to be on one of the most incredible promises recorded in Scripture. Philippians 4:19. This is one of the great promises that Paul gave the Philippians. It is great encouragement for them and for us.
The Philippians were very aware of all Paul had suffered in the cause of Christ. Paul had described many of the problems, troubles, and adversities he had faced in a previous letter to the Corinthians. In order to bring to light the power of this promise, let’s look at what Paul had already suffered.
2 Corinthians 11:23b - 28.Vs 23b. “…in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death."
Vs 24. "Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes."
Vs 25. "Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep."
Vs 26. "I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;"
Vs 27. "I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure."
Vs 28. "Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches."
After all of that, Paul was now imprisoned in Rome again when he wrote Philippians 4:19, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
The significance of that statement was not lost on the Philippians. Paul had experienced God’s gracious supply of all his needs in every single circumstance mentioned above.
The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the believers at the Church in Philippi. When Paul says, “My God,” he is indicating that God was very real to him. Paul knows God. And he knows God’s tender love and care that is there for all of us. Why?
- Because we are His children. Galatians 3:26 says, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”
- Because God’s righteousness was given to us at the moment of salvation, and God loves His own righteousness in us. Romans 4:5 says, “But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.”
Paul wrote this epistle in prison, not sure if he will ever go back to Philippi, not even sure he would ever get out of prison, a terrible circumstance in and of itself. [He will in fact never leave prison again; he will be executed by Nero.] Yet Paul writes “My God will supply ALL of your needs.” That was very encouraging to them. And it is encouraging to us.
The Apostle Paul was a GREAT believer. He truly was—not because he was an apostle, but because of his spiritual life. His life was a huge testimony to the Philippians and many others. And it is a testimony to us.
Another quick point about Paul’s suffering. We tend to think that if we live the Christian life, God is going to bless us. Paul lived the Christian life better than any of us ever will, and yet he went through very difficult situations and circumstances. But you know what? Paul was blessed even in suffering and adversity. His happiness did not depend on his circumstances. His happiness did not depend on his circumstances. It depended on the Lord and on knowing that he was fulfilling God's plan for his life.
Paul was following the example of our Lord. Hebrews 12:2 says, “fixing our eyes on Jesus (be concentrating on Jesus), the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus Christ had “joy,” which is the Greek noun chara and it means contentment or tranquility of soul. Jesus Christ did not have a giddy joy on the cross. He was in great pain and agony. But He did have contentment and peace of mind, because He knew He was accomplishing the plan of God the Father.
The same was true of the Apostle Paul. Through all the suffering that he endured, Paul had the same joy as our Lord, because he understood that he was in God’s plan and accomplishing God’s will for him. We too can have great blessing in adversity and in suffering. The spiritual life founded and perfected by Jesus Christ, which He has given to us, allows us to have that same kind of blessing in adversity.
Back to Philippians 4:19, “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” When the Philippian believers heard this, they sat up and listened. It really got their attention.
Everyone has needs. You have yours. I have mine. Some of our needs will be similar and some very different. We all have needs that need to be fulfilled. We need some things just to survive—food, shelter, clothing. We have needs that are for our enjoyment. We have needs related to the work we do. We have all kinds of needs.
When I wake up every morning, I need coffee. I need my daily Bible class and breakfast. I need time to study and a quiet place to do it. And so on. You have your needs. And we seek to fulfill those needs throughout the day.
BUT we must always remember that God has a perfect plan for us, and that plan includes each day He gives us to live. Psalm 118:24 applies here, “This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” It is a day the Lord has made for us, and He knows exactly what we need, and will provide for our needs. Not one need will be missed or forgotten. God supplies ALL our needs.
We do our part. We work hard. But never forget God fulfills our needs. That is a promise. We never need to doubt it. We can have absolute confidence that He will do it.