LightGrams
May 30, 2024
Volume 28, Number 14
The situation in Gaza has been desperate for months. Following the terrorist raid on Israel in October, a brutal assault has been launched by Israel to eliminate the neighboring terrorist organization Hamas. Not all Palestinians are in sympathy with the cruelty and violence of Hamas, and yet they are suffering as are the 100-plus Israeli hostages taken in October.
In an attempt to get relief supplies to the 2.3 million people in Palestine, the U.S. military recently opened a floating pier and causeway. Ships with supplies would be able to offload at the pier, and trucks would shuttle them to points of need. But within a week of the opening of this supply line, bad weather caused the project to break apart. It is hoped to be repaired and operational in a few days.
Imagine being stranded on a deserted island, and you’ve exhausted your food and water. Help is on the way by means of an airdrop, but as you see the plane approaching with your vitally needed supplies, you hear the plane begin sputtering just before it goes down in the ocean. All hope of receiving assistance is now gone. That’s how the people of Gaza must now feel.
God ordered Abraham to go to a distant location and make a sacrifice. Abraham was loyal to the Lord, and he set out early the next morning. Each step of the way he must have wondered, “Why did God ask me to offer my only son, Isaac?” Despite his confusion, Abraham continued.
As they drew close to the site of the sacrifice, Isaac asked his father where was the lamb that would be offered? Abraham’s answer to his son was again faith-motivated: “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering” (Genesis 22:8). Abraham’s faith in God was well placed; at the last moment before plunging the knife into his son’s heart, God stopped the sacrifice and provided a ram to take Isaac’s place (Genesis 22:10-14). Yes, God provided.
Jesus knew how people often worry about daily necessities like food, water, clothing, etc. After telling us not to worry about such things, He then gave this mandate: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). We love that promise – but are the supply lines reliable? Can we really count on God to deliver?
Paul experienced times of great need, but time and again he received just what he needed at exactly the right time. That’s what led him to write this in Philippians 4:19: “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” We can only imagine what great riches are at the disposal of God. From those stores He will send what we need.
And the greatest supply of all? “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). God provided for our greatest need.
Human supply lines are vulnerable and breakable. God’s supply lines are failproof. He will make sure we have what we need.
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2024, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
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