Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  1000 God  »  1300 God, work of  »  1305 God, activity of  »  1330 God, the provider

God supplies the needs of all creation, but gives special care to his own people.

God is called “The LORD who provides”

Genesis 22:13-14 The name “Yahweh Yireh” (or “Jehovah Jireh”) is from the verb “to see”, and means “The LORD foresees” or “The LORD will see to it”. See also Genesis 22:8

God provides for the needs of all creation

He provides for the earth

Psalm 65:9-13 See also Deuteronomy 11:12,14-15; Psalm 68:9; Psalm 104:10-18; Psalm 135:7; Psalm 147:8; Ezekiel 34:26-29

He provides for the animals

Psalm 145:16 See also Job 38:41; Psalm 104:27-28; Psalm 147:9; Matthew 6:26 pp Luke 12:24

He provides for all people

Acts 14:17 See also 1 Chronicles 29:12; Psalm 68:5; Psalm 107:9; Matthew 5:45; Acts 17:28

He provides for the poor and needy

Psalm 140:12 See also 1 Samuel 2:8; Psalm 35:10; Psalm 145:13-14; Psalm 146:7-9; Isaiah 25:4

Special instances of God's practical provision

Food and water in the wilderness:

Exodus 16:13-18; Exodus 17:3-6; Numbers 11:4-9,31-32

God's provision for Elijah:

1 Kings 17:6,16; Kings 19:5-8 2 Kings 4:42-44 Elisha feeds 100 men from 20 barley loaves; Matthew 14:15-21 pp Mark 6:35-44 pp Luke 9:12-17 pp John 6:5-13 Jesus Christ feeds 5,000; Matthew 15:32-38 pp Mark 8:1-9 Jesus Christ feeds 4,000

God's special provision for his own people

He provides for their practical needs

Philippians 4:19 See also Deuteronomy 2:7; Psalm 68:10; Psalm 111:5; Matthew 6:25-33 pp Luke 12:22-31

He provides for their protection

Psalm 5:12 See also Genesis 28:15; Deuteronomy 33:27; 1 Samuel 2:9; Psalm 91:9-13; Psalm 121:3-8; Isaiah 46:4; Philippians 4:7; 1 Peter 1:5; Jude 24; Revelation 3:10

He provides for their every need

2 Peter 1:3 See also 1 Corinthians 3:21-23; Colossians 2:10

Examples of God's provision for his people

2 Samuel 7:10 pp 1 Chronicles 17:9 security in the promised land; Isaiah 61:3 consolation in grief; Jeremiah 33:6-9 restoration from captivity; 1 Corinthians 10:13 a way of escape from temptation

Implications of God's providential care

Freedom from worry

Matthew 6:31-33 pp Luke 12:29-31

Generosity

Luke 6:38 See also 1 Chronicles 29:14; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Philippians 4:18

Faithfulness

Romans 2:4 See also Isaiah 5:1-7; Hosea 10:1-2; Hosea 11:1-4

See also

1030  God, compassion
1040  God, fatherhood
1130  God, sovereignty
1205  God, titles of
1320  God as Saviour
1355  providence
1416  miracles
4065  orderliness
4438  eating
5480  protection
8261  generosity, God's
8434  giving