I Shall Not Want

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want…(He) prepares a table before me

 (Psalm 23:1 Amp)

Watching my daughter prepare bottles for my infant grandson reminded me of our Heavenly Father’s provision for us.  Having boiled and cooled water, she carefully measured exactly 4 ozs. into several sterile bottles, inserted a sterile nipple into each one, sealed them and set them aside in readiness.

Her eye was on the clock as feeding time approached but she waited for the baby to give the signal that he was hungry.  And signal he did.  In the blink of an eye, he went from cooing to howling.  During the brief moments it took to uncap a bottle, scoop in powdered formula, and shake to mix it, he continued to wail out his demands.

From his actions, one might assume he was starving.  Or in the habit of being ignored or neglected.  He was unaware that final preparations were being made to meet his need.  Wisely, his mother had waited until her son felt his hunger before satisfying it.  Otherwise, he might have eaten halfheartedly, or fallen asleep before his tummy was full.

Looking on, I was reminded of myself.  When I become aware of a need, most often my first reaction is urgency.  As though I must find an immediate solution, I begin to desperately search for an answer.  I pray, but when my prayers are not immediately answered, I become anxious and impatient.

I act as though the situation were as much a surprise to God as it is to me.  Little do I realize the planning and preparation my Heavenly Parent has already made on my behalf.  In my impatience, I fail to remember previous times when just as I thought God was doing nothing, He came to my rescue in ways that had long before been put into motion.

When God does not immediately act on our behalf, it does not mean that He is sitting idly by.  He knows our needs far in advance and has everything in readiness.  There may be last minute details that need to fall into place.  Or perhaps the delay is necessary in order that we drink more fully and gratefully from His fountain of love.

     Lord, I thank You for the problems and the hard things that I face;
     if it were not for their happening I'd fail to see Your grace. 
     Thank You for the answers and solutions You provide,
     and even for the waiting that dissolves my harmful pride.