I’ve been thinking lately about how needy I am. Far too often, I allow myself to go down the rabbit hole of rehearsing the things I need. I berate myself, my performance, my mothering, my writing, my emotions, my needs, my circumstances, and even my walk with God.
Some needs are the result of circumstance. We need provision because we are lacking something. We need money because our car broke down. We need a ride to work because we have a flat tire. We need food because we lost our job. We need medicine because we are sick.
Some needs are the result of human deeds. We need recovery because we are addicted to something. We need counsel because we have gone off course. We need help processing our past because a parent failed to love us in a healthy way. We need retribution because somebody committed a crime against us.
Some needs are simply the result of human nature. We need hope because we can’t see what’s ahead. We need grace because we are sinful. We need mercy because without God, we are unworthy of His favor. We need faith because without God, we are nothing and can do nothing.
Whatever our need, we can rest assured that God sees it. He knows what we need, before we need it. He knows who we’ll be before we are born. He knows what we’ll say (or what others may say about us) before it is spoken. Not one tear falls without His notice, and not one need occurs without His compassion.
Christmas is behind us, but this is a great time for reflection so I want to share what God revealed to me, last week. I was thinking about our needs and how God meets them when God suddenly opened my eyes to the Christmas story.
Each character in the Christmas story had a need. Some weren’t even aware that they had a need or that God was using them to fulfill a greater need for the world. God met each of those needs in a uniquely personal way.
- Zechariah and Elizabeth were childless, and God sent Gabriel to tell them they would soon have a son. This son, John the Baptist, would prepare the way for Jesus, many years later.
- Mary had been chosen as the mother of Jesus. God sent Gabriel again to give her this news and to calm her heart for this gargantuan assignment.
- Joseph needed to trust Mary and resist his urge to leave her, so God sent an angel to tell him to proceed as planned.
- The shepherds were in a humble condition tending sheep. God sent an angel to direct them to the humble manger to worship Christ the newborn King. God used lowly shepherds to reveal to the world that Jesus came for everyone.
- Simeon was a righteous man of God. God sent the Holy Spirit to reveal to him that he would meet the Messiah and strategically placed him in the temple on the day that Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to dedicate him.
- The wise men were part of God’s plan to reveal salvation to the world, so He sent a star to guide them to Jesus. Then, He revealed in a dream that they needed to return home a different way, a way that avoided Herrod.
- After Herrod’s death, God revealed to Joseph in a dream that it was safe for him, Mary, and Jesus to return home.
This was such a different way for me to look at the Christmas story. So often, we see these characters as if they were simply characters in a Christmas pageant, playing their part then leaving the stage. It touched something deep within me to think that they each had or fulfilled a need by “playing their part.” God saw each of them personally, AND He saw the whole picture. These truths gave me a 4-part revelation:
- We have needs. I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry (Psalm 40:1)
- He knows us completely, including every need that we have. O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I’m going to say even before I say it Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head (Psalm 139:1-5).
- He meets our needs in ways that bring glory to His name. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord (Psalm 40:2-3).
- He is more than enough to meet every single need I have! The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies (Psalm 18:2-3).
These are such difficult times! Our needs are great, and so are the needs of those around us. Rest assured, though, my friend: You are not unknown, unseen, alone, or ever left behind! You serve the God who sees you, knows you, heals you, and provides for you more than you can ever ask or imagine!
Jesus, thank you for understanding that only you can give. Thank you for your endless compassion and faithfulness to meet every need your children have. Help us to come to you when we are in need and to wait and trust for you to meet our needs in your ways and in your timing. In Jesus’ name, amen.
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).