Love That Never Fails

4. Perfect Provision

We can all no doubt remember living through the Covid-19 pandemic and you can probably recall seeing empty supermarket shelves. Those who have also recently experienced periods of drought, know too well the feeling of desperation as the ground dries up, leading to shortages and skyrocketing food prices! Imagine how it would be to have an endless supply of fresh produce! This was Adam and Eve's experience as they walked through the beautiful Garden of Eden and listened to God as He poured out his gifts of love:

"Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food." And it was so."
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1:29-30‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We too are recipients of these gifts for they were given to mankind!  Adam and Eve were the first custodians of all the incredible plants we eat for food —plants that are also there for our enjoyment and to bring us life too. Of course things are not quite the same as they were in the very beginning but none the less, we can look at the many provisions in nature and receive them as gifts from above!

"The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil."
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God made us with an appreciation of beauty so we see He provided a great variety of trees that we would enjoy looking at and be sustained by too! Notice also that God even made provision for the garden to be watered:

"A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters."
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

His Creation truly was perfect and we can still see how He continues to provide for us today, although with our intervention, things are not quite as perfect as they once were!

God even lovingly provided the first people with instructions:

"And the Lord God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.""
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2:16-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It sounded simple but we all know how that turned out when Eve gave in to temptation! However, the important thing we must remember, is that everything was originally set up by God in love, for our provision and protection! Just as a parent wants the best for their child, so God desires the best for all of us!

"Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.""
‭‭Acts‬ ‭14:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let's pray:

Dear Lord,

Things have been pretty crazy in our world this year with wars and fuel in short supply. Even in the midst of crisis, I am thankful for all You have continued to provide for us! Just as You provided everything that the first man and woman needed in the Garden of Eden, You lovingly provide enough for me to eat and drink each day and on top of that You have given me so many amazing trees and other plants to admire. Your beauty is all around me and reminds me that You love me and desire to provide for all my needs.

Please help me to appreciate each item of food I eat today, remembering that You originally planted the first seeds in the Garden of Eden. You also provide sunshine and rain to make things grow. Help me be willing to share what I have with others and be just as generous and loving as You are.

Amen.