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Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”.
How many times have you claimed this promise and wondered if it will work for you? Does the Bible not say that we can ask God for what we need and He will supply it? Yes the Bible does say that. There are however some things we sometimes overlook.
Here are six steps we need to look at when we decide we are going to claim a promise from God;
1) Look at the Promise.
Does Verse 19 say that God will supply all your wants? No; it says all your needs! Now we have to look at what we are asking for and realistically examine our motivation. Is this something I want, or is this something God knows is a need for me.
2) Look at the Premise.
What is the context within which Paul writes to the Philippians stating that God will supply all their need? We need to go back a few verses to see the conduct of the Philippians. Verse 15-16 reads “when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.” When Paul says God will supply their need, he knows that the Philippian Church had taken from the little they had to help the work of God through Paul’s missionary outreach. When we wish to claim supply of our need from God, we understand that God is no man’s debtor. Paul knew that God had ‘riches in glory’. God is able to meet any need for He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and all the riches of earth are at His disposal.
3) Look at the Practicality of Faith.
Hebrews 11:3 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The modern versions use the work ‘assurance’ or ‘confidence’. The Greek word here is ‘hupostasis’ – meaning that which is underlying, or supporting. It is the same word used in Hebrews 1:3 for the word ‘person’ who is upholding all things.
4) Look at the Power of God.
We need to understand the foundation of faith is based on the person and character of our God. Hebrews 11:3 declares God is Omnipotent. “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” So we learn that if God is God, He can do anything!
5) Look at the Provision of God.
God is not only able but willing to meet our needs. This is what the rest of Hebrews chapter 11 is all about. The writer lists people small and great who experienced God’s intervention in their lives in times of need. He is teaching us that God is willing to meet the need of those who have a relationship with Him.
6) Look at what Pleases God.
Hebrews 11:6 reads; “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Faith is the thing that we have to exercise as we approach the Lord. We have learned that faith knows that God is able and willing to help you. It is based on your approaching the Lord based first on your relationship, second on knowing He can do anything, because as verse 11 says, ‘He is’ and thirdly, He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. You have carefully sought the Lord on the basis of your relationship and your understanding that you have committed yourself to the purposes of God in your life. You know that He can and is willing to meet your need as His child; walking in obedience to His will.
How many times have you claimed this promise and wondered if it will work for you? Does the Bible not say that we can ask God for what we need and He will supply it? Yes the Bible does say that. There are however some things we sometimes overlook.
Here are six steps we need to look at when we decide we are going to claim a promise from God;
1) Look at the Promise.
Does Verse 19 say that God will supply all your wants? No; it says all your needs! Now we have to look at what we are asking for and realistically examine our motivation. Is this something I want, or is this something God knows is a need for me.
2) Look at the Premise.
What is the context within which Paul writes to the Philippians stating that God will supply all their need? We need to go back a few verses to see the conduct of the Philippians. Verse 15-16 reads “when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.” When Paul says God will supply their need, he knows that the Philippian Church had taken from the little they had to help the work of God through Paul’s missionary outreach. When we wish to claim supply of our need from God, we understand that God is no man’s debtor. Paul knew that God had ‘riches in glory’. God is able to meet any need for He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and all the riches of earth are at His disposal.
3) Look at the Practicality of Faith.
Hebrews 11:3 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The modern versions use the work ‘assurance’ or ‘confidence’. The Greek word here is ‘hupostasis’ – meaning that which is underlying, or supporting. It is the same word used in Hebrews 1:3 for the word ‘person’ who is upholding all things.
4) Look at the Power of God.
We need to understand the foundation of faith is based on the person and character of our God. Hebrews 11:3 declares God is Omnipotent. “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” So we learn that if God is God, He can do anything!
5) Look at the Provision of God.
God is not only able but willing to meet our needs. This is what the rest of Hebrews chapter 11 is all about. The writer lists people small and great who experienced God’s intervention in their lives in times of need. He is teaching us that God is willing to meet the need of those who have a relationship with Him.
6) Look at what Pleases God.
Hebrews 11:6 reads; “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Faith is the thing that we have to exercise as we approach the Lord. We have learned that faith knows that God is able and willing to help you. It is based on your approaching the Lord based first on your relationship, second on knowing He can do anything, because as verse 11 says, ‘He is’ and thirdly, He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. You have carefully sought the Lord on the basis of your relationship and your understanding that you have committed yourself to the purposes of God in your life. You know that He can and is willing to meet your need as His child; walking in obedience to His will.