Jesus Is Your Security and Provision
David W Palmer
(Matthew 10:9–10 NKJV) “Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, {10} nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.”
For Jesus’s apprentices heading out on their first [supervised] mission, this must have been a very challenging instruction … as it is for us.
Many of us have taken “missions trips,” both at home and overseas. We probably find coping with different climates, cultures, travel weariness, and intimidating audiences quite challenging. But at least we have always had the security of a return ticket, a good hotel to retreat to, a suitcase full of clean clothes, and special food and needed items from home. What’s more, we always ensure we have traveller’s checks, credit cards, or cash to fall back on if needed.
But in Matthew 10, we are confronted by these words coming from the lips of the one who invented mission trips for his apprentices: “Don’t take any money with you; don’t take a traveling bag for the trip, a change of clothes, sandals, or a walking stick. After all, the worker deserves to have his needs met” (Mat. 10:9 TLB, Mat. 10:10 GWT).
Jesus is saying that when we go on missions and assignments for him, he will provide. He wants to show us just how capable he is. After all, through his ingenious creation, he provides for the billions on earth every day. What’s more, if he can count our individual hairs and feed sparrows, how much more aware is he of his children’s needs:
(Luke 12:6–7 NKJV) “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. {7} But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
(Matthew 6:8 NKJV) “ … your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”
Our wonderful Lord wants to assure us that he sees every need we have, and that as we walk in obedience under the umbrella of his protection and grace, he can and will supply them:
(Philippians 4:19 NKJV) “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Remembering that our first call is to “follow” and “be with him,” we clearly see that Jesus wants us pressing into him while engaged in the missions and assignments on which he sends us. Provision and direction are two crucial issues in life, and Jesus wants us to realize that he is all the security we need in both of these areas.
(Genesis 22:14 ASV) And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of Jehovah it shall be provided.
(Genesis 28:3 HNV) “May El Shaddai bless you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, that you may be a company of peoples.”
(Isaiah 58:11 NKJV) The LORD will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
When God introduced himself as “Jehovah Jireh,” he wanted to assure us that he sees our needs and meets them. When he introduced himself into the covenant as “El Shaddai,” he was guaranteeing that he—the almighty, omnipotent God—can provide. In truth he is the God with whom “nothing is impossible”:
(Luke 1:37 NKJV) “For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Jesus wants to fully assure you that he is sufficient, and that just you—without all the trappings and personal support package—in submission to him is enough. If you obey in his name, he will undertake to guide you and provide for you. But, to do all he wants to do for you, he requires your faith, your obedience; and most of all, he wants you to draw close to him in worshipful, submissive intimacy. In other words, he wants you to walk in the Spirit:
(Galatians 5:25 NKJV) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
The spiritual walk that allows the gifts of the Holy Spirit and ministry anointing to flow through us, is the same walk that draws near, receives instruction, wisdom, and warning; it also receives provision. I like the way the Bible puts it:
(Genesis 22:14 NKJV) And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided.”
The “Mount of the Lord” gives a picture of us climbing into a place of intimacy. It takes “labour” (See: Heb. 4:11 KJV), and a serious casting of your cares on him to break through to his peace. But in the secret place with him, we find total security; it’s where his provision, protection, guidance, and ministry are awaiting us.
Today, I encourage you; instead of putting all your trust and security in your own provision and plans, take the plunge of risking everything as you rely only on him. Step out obediently with only Jesus as your guide and security—your Good Shepherd—and launch into the assignment and/or mission he has for you today:
(Isaiah 1:19 NKJV) If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land.”
