Though Troubles Assail Us

So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

In these troubling times, it is easy to be overcome with worry. If you watch the news, or read the headlines, each day seems to bring more bad tidings, worse than the day before. John Newton greatly encourages us in this hymn, with the resounding refrain, “The Lord will provide.”

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

God’s promise in the scripture assures us – He will provide for all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. First, He promises to provide for all our needs, not all our wants. But second, He will supply them according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Those riches are unending, pouring over in the storehouses of heaven.

Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, reminds us that we have no reason to be worried. As God’s children, we are worth more to Him than the birds of the air, and He feeds them, without them even working for it!

For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? Matthew 6:25-26

Jesus teaches us that we do not need to be worried about things like our next meal or what clothes we will wear because our Heavenly Father KNOWS that we need all these things. Further, worrying does us no good!

And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. Matthew 6:27-32

Because He knows we need them, He desires to give them to us. Even more than our earthly fathers desire to give us good gifts, our Heavenly Father wants to give us what is good!

Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:9-11

God’s provision for us applies to much more than food and clothing, though. He gives us courage, grace, power, comfort, protection, security, and of course, forgiveness through the blood of His son, Jesus Christ.

We need not fear or doubt in death or in life – Christ is on our side, and He will provide!

Though Troubles Assail Us
Words by John Newton

Though troubles assail us and dangers affright,
Though friends should all fail us and foes all unite,
Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide,
The promise assures us, “The Lord will provide.”

The birds, without garner or storehouse, are fed;
From them let us learn to trust God for our bread.
His saints what is fitting shall ne’er be denied
So long as ’tis written, “The Lord will provide.”

When Satan assails us to stop up our path,
And courage all fails us, we triumph by faith.
He cannot take from us, though oft he has tried,
This heart cheering promise, “The Lord will provide.”

He tells us we’re weak, our hope is in vain,
The good that we seek we never shall obtain,
But when such suggestions, our graces have tried,
This answers all questions, “The Lord will provide.”

No strength of our own and no goodness we claim;
Yet, since we have known of the Savior’s great Name,
In this our strong tower for safety we hide:
The Lord is our power, “The Lord will provide.”

When life sinks apace, and death is in view,
The word of His grace shall comfort us through,
Not fearing or doubting, with Christ on our side,
We hope to die shouting, “The Lord will provide.”