This is part of the series The Gifts Of The Holidays: Celebrating Thanksgiving And Christmas. Read more from the series!

I will admit it: I’m sometimes a product of our society.

As American’s we have been blessed. Sure, I’m not wealthy by American standards. But compared to the rest of the world, I’m rich beyond imagination.

And I take that for granted.

What I often don’t remember is that everything I have has been granted to me by God.

He provides.

I could list out all the needs he provides for my family and me: food, clothing, shelter, love…

But what I’m poignantly reminded of frequently are all the little things God provides for me.

The wants. Above and beyond the needs.

One of God’s names in the Old Testament is Jehovah Jireh. It means “The Lord will provide.”

How true! Even in the little things.

Most of us know the story of Abraham going to Mount Moriah to sacrifice his only son Isaac. Isaac must have been pretty confused.

He asked, “The wood and fire are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

Abraham trusted that God would provide, even though it didn’t seem like he would. He replied, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.”

Remember what happened? Abraham was willing to obey God no matter what. Isaac was on the altar, Abraham had the knife in the air, and the angel of the Lord stopped him.

Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burn offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide (Jehovah Jireh). And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” (Genesis 22:13-14)

God provides.

A few years ago, Crown Financial Ministries put together several short films that powerfully illustrated the fact that God provides. Here’s the video trailer for the series. You can get the whole series here.

God provides.

He provided for Adam and Eve when he expelled them from the Garden by providing clothes made from animal skins. This was the first sacrifice, really, providing coverings for Adam and Eve in their nakedness.

God provides.

He provided for the widow and her sons. She was about to lose everything to her dead husband’s creditors. All she had was a little oil. Elisha instructed her to gather as many jars as she could from her neighbors. She was to pour the oil into them. God filled them all, enough to sell and pay off her debts, and live on the rest.

God provides.

He provided for Jacob when he worked for his father-in-law Laban. God caused Jacob to prosper and grew his herds and flocks. He provided lots of sons and a daughter to him as well.

God provides.

He provided food in the wilderness when the Israelites wondered for forty years. Manna and quail were provided daily, and their clothing and shoes didn’t wear out.

God provides.

He provided for Job after all that Satan was permitted to do to him. In the end, Job regained his wealth and a whole new family, with the promise that his dead children would one day be restored to him in heaven.

God provides.

He provided a way for us to be restored to a right relationship with him by sending his very own Son to die in our place, for our sins. Much like Abraham and Isaac, God was called to give up that which he held most dear. But that sacrifice allowed us the opportunity to come face to face with God and live, our sins atoned for.

God provides.

Take a look at what Paul said to encourage the people of Philippi, after they had sent a collection to help meet his needs:

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

Take some time today to rejoice and be thankful that God provides.

What has God provided recently in your life? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“