God satisfies all our needs
“You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.” Psalm 145 verse 16
As children, we are all dependent on others - for everything. As adults, we like to pretend that this is no longer the case.
Have you ever seen a parent loosen a jar lid and then hand it to their toddler? They watch lovingly as the child uses chubby little hands to twist it open, squealing in delight at their success. “Look at what I can do, all by my self!”
This is exactly how I imagine God works with us. We like to look at our life - our talents, achievements and possessions - and think, “Look at what I have done!” We forget that by His divine power, our Father has lovingly “given us everything we need for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1 verse 3). We have no idea just how much he has provided.
According to popular psychology, every person has five levels of need that must be satisfied in order to grow and thrive. These are, in order of necessity: physiological, safety, love and belongingness, esteem and self-actualisation.
Read the following passages and consider how God has satisfied these needs throughout your life.
Physiological (need for food, drink, shelter)
“Therefore, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear… Look 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?” Matthew 6 verses 25 and 26
Safety (need for freedom from fear)
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46 verse 1
“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield.” Psalm 91 verse 4
Love and belongingness (need for relationship and connection)
“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. If we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is made complete in us.” 1 John 4 verse 11
“The body is a whole, though it is made up of many parts. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptised by one spirit into one body. Now you [brothers and sisters] are the body of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 12
Esteem (need to be valued - by ourselves and others (God))
“I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139 verse 14
"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" 1 John 3 verse 1
“This is what the LORD says “You are precious and honored in my sight… I love you.”” Isaiah 43 verse 4
Self-actualisation (need for continual self-improvement; to be more like Jesus)
“Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” Ephesians 4 verse 15
“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5 verse 16
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control… Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5 verses 22 and 25
So, God is able to provide for every fundamental need we have. But His provision does not stop at what is necessary.
He gives us more than we need - freely and abundantly! Jesus came that we may have life “in all its fullness” (John 10 verse 10). When we believe in the goodness and mercy of God, we will lack no good thing - our cup overflows (Psalm 23 verse 5, 34 verse 10). For He does not just meet our earthly needs; he meets our spiritual needs.
He is the only one who can.
Let us not forget to thank our heavenly Father for His loving kindness! Every good and perfect gift comes from Him.
“Let us give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Let us sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy!” Psalm 107 verses 21 and 22
