God cares for the needs of the righteous!

Solomon, the wise king of Israel, saw the contrast in how Jehovah treats the wicked as opposed to His care for His child.  He said that Jehovah will not allow the soul of the righteous man to be hungry.  He must have learned this truth from his father David, for he said, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread,” (Psalm 37:25).  It’s not that God’s people are never hungry or never have financial need.  But God does care for His own.  Think about Elijah, God’s prophet who stood against wicked King Ahab.  God provided for Elijah’s needs at the brook Cherith.  He had a need for daily food and God had the ravens bring food morning and evening for him each day (1 Kings 17).  Just a thought, Elijah was where God wanted him to be, doing what God wanted him to do, and God’s provision for him was always there.  If God can send birds to carry food to His prophet, don’t you think He can meet your need as well?

In many of the Psalms we see that God provides food for the animal kingdom.  In fact Jesus taught, “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.  Are ye not much better than they?” (Matthew 6:26).  Did you catch that?  God thinks you are much more important than the birds!  If He will care for them, won’t He care for you?  Jesus gives us the key that unlocks this truth for us, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you,” (Matthew 6:33).  Believers, our mission is to put Jesus’ Kingdom first in all that we do.  He cares for our needs.  What a great relationship this can be!

And then there’s that little conjunction, “BUT!”  And what a contrast this is!  On the one hand here’s the wonderful care He gives to His children, “BUT” here’s what will happen to the wicked, “He casteth away the substance of the wicked.”  The ERV1 says, “But He keeps the wicked from getting what they want.”  The word “substance” in the KJV is the Hebrew word meaning “desire.”

So God frustrates the plans of the wicked.  They never seem to get exactly what they want, and they are never satisfied with what they have.  Their cravings will be unfulfilled!

Why will God thwart the desires of the wicked.  Just to be mean and spiteful?  No, I don’t believe so.  I believe that in this we can see God’s grace.  He wants the disappointments of the wicked to drive them to Him.  In this world there is never lasting happiness!  In Christ our desires are satisfied.

Heart Check: Believers, what does it take to make you happy?  Only Jesus?

Take the World, But Give Me Jesus2
By Fanny J. Crosby

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
All its joys are but a name;
But His love abideth ever,
Through eternal years the same.

Refrain:
Oh, the height and depth of mercy!
Oh, the length and breadth of love!
Oh, the fullness of redemption,
Pledge of endless life above!

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
Sweetest comfort of my soul;
With my Savior watching o’er me,
I can sing though billows roll. [Refrain]

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
Let me view His constant smile;
Then throughout my pilgrim journey
Light will cheer me all the while. [Refrain]

Take the world, but give me Jesus;
In His cross my trust shall be,
Till, with clearer, brighter vision,
Face to face my Lord I see. [Refrain]

The Gospel in Song, 1926 (Timeless Truths)

1.  The Easy Read Version is parallel with the KJV in the Harvest Study Bible.  Harvest Ministries Guam, www.hbcguam.org.
2.  Hymn text, “Take the World but Give Me Jesus” downloaded from  https://hymnary.org/text/take_the_world_but_give_me_jesus_all_its.  May 25, 2018..