Part 1 – Supernatural Provision: Trust God in the Lean Times

We have to learn to TRUST God in times of famine and times of plenty. Lean times are defined as a time when there is not enough. A time when there are shortages of food and finances. Supernatural provision is not the norm for most people; however,  it is very possible. So when does God provide for you supernaturally? Is it when you have a need? Is it when you spend hours crying and complaining about what you do not have? No. God responds to FAITH, not need. Take a look at Exodus 16. God sent manna from heaven each day to feed His people. In today’s calculations, the people supernaturally received 9 million pounds each day and 18 million pounds on Friday (double).  They received supernatural provision for 40 years, 14,600 days, and 2080 weeks. Can you even fathom such a thing? They got up each of those 14,600 days and went outside to find manna waiting; all they had to do was collect it and eat it. Now that is what I call SUPERNATURAL!

When we put our faith in God, our Provider, He never fails to deliver.  When the people left the desert and moved into the Promised land; they had to leave the supernatural provision of God and start working the land. Remember, this was a land flowing with milk, honey, and abundance. God provided for them in the desert because there was typically nothing else for them to eat; however, now the people must learn to trust God by working the land and sowing and reaping. The concept of sowing and reaping is a law of the natural world and was instituted at creation.  On the third day of creation, God commanded the earth to bring forth living plants “bearing seed” and fruit “with seed in it (Genesis 1:11-13). Man was given these plants to use as food (Genesis 1:29). Therefore, this concept of working the land for food was not new to them. God also wanted to give them a chance to use their faith. They had to refocus their faith from receiving manna each morning to trusting God to provide by working the land. The manna ceased on the day they ate produce from the land (Joshua 5:11-12). How do you respond when your manna has ceased or your river has dried up?  In part two of this article, I will show you how to respond by following the life of Joseph who was sent to Egypt as a slave. Joseph prospered in the land of Egypt and became a deliverer for his people. He trusted God in the lean times. When you look at your life and all you see is drought, remember God promised us ‘rivers in the desert’ (Isaiah 43:19).