ODJ: Spectacular Provision

January 17, 2018 

READ: Genesis 1:11-13,29-30 

Look! I have given you every seed bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food (v.29).

Once while on a trip visiting some friends in a village in China, we trekked deeper and deeper into the forest, venturing further and further away from the village. After an hour or so, we heard the deafening roar of a waterfall. Quickening our steps, we soon reached a clearing and were greeted by the beautiful vision of a rushing curtain of white water flowing over grey rocks. Spectacular!

Our friends suggested we enjoy a picnic there. It sounded like a great idea, except where was the food? None of us had packed as much as a snack. But soon we got to work, some of us picking up wood and starting a fire, while others disappeared into the surrounding forest to look for food. As the fire began to blaze, they returned with an assortment of fruits and vegetables—even some freshly caught fish!

That day, I had a better glimpse of the meaning of Genesis 1:29 in which God declared, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food.” In Singapore we have access to produce from all over the world in our shops and markets. But that day, I relied directly on the earth for food and was able to try unfamiliar but delicious exotic fruits and vegetables.

Creation declares God’s extravagant provision, clearly displaying proof of His generosity through “all sorts of seedbearing plants, and trees with seed-bearing fruit” that He’s given to us (v.12).

Are there moments where you find it hard to trust God to meet your needs? Just consider the variety of fruits and vegetables in our world! Our God has provided so much for us—physically and spiritually. May we trust and rest in His loving provision.

—Poh Fang Chia

365-day plan: Genesis 27:1-40