Lesson 250: The God Principle

Army of Tennessee Chaplain David Chaltas

The God Principle

 

The other day I was talking to some people about what I refer to as the God principle.  It simply states the following:  “God will do for you what you cannot do for yourself.”  I have found it to be true and try to apply it in my life.  But sometimes we forget that God meets our needs according to the riches of His glory, but not always our wants.  One of the men stated though he had prayed for his business to succeed, it did not.  I responded was it a need or a want.  I asked him did he have food on the table, a house to live in, a loving family, friends and was he not driving a new vehicle.  He hesitated and then stated he never thought about it like that and that indeed his needs were being met.   

 

As I reflect upon all those men and women of yesteryear and today, who heard the sound of the drum, went forth and fought for what they believed, it reminds me of that principle.  Our patriots, compatriots and soldiers left everything behind, NOT knowing what was ahead of them NOR what they would find when they returned; IF they returned, yet they tarried, believing that their needs would be provided.  During the War Between the States the soldiers marched sometimes forty miles, fought and then went back to prepare for the next day.  Someway, somehow, those who survived the battles, disease and pestilence had their needs met.  There were occasions when they went hungry, were cold and so tired that they thought they could not go on BUT somehow they managed.  Their requirements were met and they found that God did for them what they could not do for themselves.  Even at Appomattox, the survivors managed to live to tell the tale based on God’s will.  During reconstruction, the South somehow managed to survive.  Was it not a gracious God who provided their needs?  Our beloved POWS of all wars found when they sought God’s face and help, he provided.  Some were called home but those who lingered found that on a daily basis, all of their needs were met.  President Davis was imprisoned yet he came out and wrote his saga of the South which should be required reading for all.  Senator McCain’s story is an example to us all on how to prevail.     

 

The Bible reminds us that He feeds the sparrows in the field and even knows the number of hairs in our heads.  Does it not stand to reason that He will provide all our needs when we beseech Him and seek His will?  Read the wondrous words of Matthew 25-34 and marvel at His glory:  "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?  ²⁶Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  ²⁷Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? ²⁸"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow.  They do not labor or spin.  ⁹Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  ³⁰If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  ³¹So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ^{3 2}For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

 

God is faithful to those who are faithful to Him.   His gifts are limitless and He wants us to have them.  It is His great principle of life.  In Matthew, verses 7:7-11, the Bible reminds us of the greatness of God’s gifts.  "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.  Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

 

Friend, are you wanting things or needing things?  Do you pray the selfish prayer or the unselfish prayer?  Do you believe that He can and WILL meet your needs?  Do you rejoice in all things and trust not on your understanding but on His?  God WILL do for you what you cannot do for yourself.    Abiding in the abundance of His mercy and thankful for all my needs being met, I remain the old general.