Genesis 9:3 Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.

It had never struck me before that Noah wasn’t kosher! Restrictions grew in response to man’s sin. Indeed, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2 Corinthians 3:17) That is why those who are in Christ are freed from the Levitical dietary restrictions. However, with freedom comes responsibility. (That’s why some people actually prefer restrictive environments.) All things are given to us as food if we want them, but some are better for us than others, and some are even poisonous. Likewise, overindulgence in even good food is not wise, as the current epidemic of obesity in the US makes very clear. God gives us all we need, but we are responsible to use it wisely, and with proper respect and gratitude toward our Provider. It is in this last point that most people fall short. Indeed, some people adopt the logically absurd stance of atheism precisely because they don’t want to acknowledge that everything they have was given to them, and so they should be grateful.

Thankfully, I was raised with a clear awareness that God is our Source, but that doesn’t mean I’ve always been properly grateful, or a good steward of what was in my hands. However, the longer I live, the easier such gratitude becomes. God has allowed circumstances in my life to teach me that I cannot get by without Him. Those lessons were at times unpleasant, but I am grateful to have learned them. If I were the source of my sustenance, every bit of the responsibility would fall on me! As it is, I am responsible as a steward, not only of the physical supplies I’ve been given but also of the time, energy, and opportunities that come my way. I am to seek God at every turn, asking Him what purpose He has for whatever I encounter, trusting that His plans and provisions are always good. That doesn’t mean I’m not to plan and prepare for the future, but it does mean I’m always to give Him permission to change my plans to fit His, knowing that His are always better.

Father, thank You indeed for Your plans and provision for me and for this church. Thank You for how we are seeing those unfold. Thank You for the special meeting tonight, that was dropped into our laps through no effort on our part. Thank You for the remarkable response we have gotten to the little bit of publicity we have done. I pray that everyone You want to be here tonight would come, and that You would prepare and “tenderize” their hearts in preparation. Above all I ask that Your Spirit, Your presence be here in power, touching hearts and opening them up to receive Your grace and love, planting seed, watering, and even harvesting those You have prepared, for the sake of the Body of Christ and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!