One of the earliest names for God in the Hebrew scriptures is יְהוָֹה יִרְאֶה (Jehovah Jireh), meaning "God will provide." (cf. Genesis 22:14)
The collects for the first several Sundays after Pentecost emphasize how God provides for us. For example:
O God, your never‑failing providence sets in order all things both in heaven and earth: Put away from us, we entreat you, all hurtful things, and give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
And this:
O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think
those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever. Amen.
In a world where we are encouraged to believe that what we have comes only through our work, ambition, the political process, the economy, war, or some other human endeavor, it is refreshing to be reminded that God provides! Moreover, when we consider the potential danger of confronting the evils of our time - racism, wealth inequality, greed, mendacity, war, hatred, disenfranchisement - we must have moral courage beyond what we can summon for ourselves.
Learn to look through the window of your soul to recognize God’s hand at work. Awakening to that reality brings about a transformation of consciousness that liberates us from dependence upon material things and deepens our love for our Creator and Provider.
Blessings,
The Very Reverend Ron Pogue
Interim Rector
St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church
Keller, Texas
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