What Exactly Does God Give? 

 

Recently I decided to search through the Bible and see what it had to say about what God gives to us. We have all heard sermons and teachings on how great God is and how He blesses us. Throughout God’s Word, we read that He gives us wondrous gifts such as Jesus Christ, eternal life, the Holy Spirit, a future, hope, and more. But have you ever really looked at what else God gives us?

The search that I did turned up some pretty specific and exciting things. For instance, Deuteronomy 8:18 says, “But remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth…” Wow! Have you read that before? He furnishes you with the skills you need to make a living. Further the verse tells us, “…and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your forefathers, as it is today.” By giving us this gift, He confirms His promise to us even today.

But wait, there’s more! Again in Deuteronomy it says, “…until the LORD gives rest to your brothers as He has to you…” and again, “When the LORD your God gives you rest.” In Joshua, He again provides rest, “…until the LORD gives them rest, as He has done for you.” Do you see a pattern here?

In Ezra, He gives something else. Ezra 9:8 says He bestows on us a firm place in His sanctuary, “But now, for a brief moment, the LORD our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place in his sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage…” plus light to our eyes and a little relief from our bondage! What bondage are you in today? What is holding you back? What is keeping you tied up in knots? What exactly is it that is preventing you from fully doing His work? God gives you relief. And hallelujah, we have a firm place in His Sanctuary. Remember in the Psalms where the psalmist says, “That I may dwell in the house of the Lord forever?” Here it is promised to him before he ever asked! The Lord gives light to our eyes so that we can see and understand what He shows us.

Job 33:4 let’s us know that it is the Almighty Who grants us life. Further on in Job, we are told, “God my Maker, who gives me songs in the night.” Actually I have experienced this when I once sat up all night long rocking my first born at six weeks of age at a time when he had viral bronchial pneumonia. I was so afraid of losing him, but God gave me songs of worship and praise in the night to sing to my little one

God provides His people power and strength. Psalm 68:35 says, “You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to His people. Praise be to God!” We are His people. You and I have power and strength because He gives it to us. Don’t you just get excited about God’s Word?

This one is really fun. Ecclesiastes 2:26 tells us, “To the man who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner He gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God.” Did you get that? God gives you and me wisdom, knowledge and happiness. But (and I love this part), to the sinner He gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God! Doesn’t that just tickle you? It sure does me! Once more in Ecclesiastes I read, “Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work-this is a gift of God.” The Bible is very specific here—this is a gift from God! You and I can be happy in our work, accept our lot and enjoy what we have, not feel guilty.

In Isaiah we read, “He who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it…” He confers breath and life on us. And in Jeremiah, “Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.” He assigns the autumn and spring rains in season. He knows ahead of time what we need and plans ahead to meet the need. Pretty incredible.

The New Testament holds a wealth of gifts too. Aside from the miracles of His birth, life, and resurrection, the book of John says, “… for God gives the Spirit without limit.” Later in John we are told that God “gives life to the World.” Romans says that He is “the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.” First Timothy again says, “In the sight of God, who gives life to everything…” The unlimited gift of the Holy Spirit; even life itself. How incredible!

God gives us a spirit of unity as well as endurance and in encouragement in Romans 15:5. In 1 Corinthians, He gives us “the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Isn’t it wondrous in I Thessalonians 4:8, He “gives you his Holy Spirit?” It’s a gift! The book of James tells you and me that if we should ask God for wisdom, “who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” Don’t forget to ask!

James notes that He “gives us more grace.” Both James and I Peter clearly state that, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Finally in Revelation 21:23 the loveliest gift in heaven, “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” God’s glory gives Heaven it’s light, and the precious, blessed Lamb is its lamp. We can only imagine what that gift looks like.

We have been given so many, many gifts from God. You and I can look at our lives and see numerous blessings—from the material to spiritual—just too many too count. Yet, when we search the God’s Word just for His gifts, we are overwhelmed by the enormity of what He gives to the world, especially to you and me. So go ahead, take a look. It’s like having year-around Christmas with all the anticipation and excitement of discovering His thoughtfulness in selecting just the right gift for you.

Don’t forget to say, “Thank You.”

Copyright 2005 by Desirée Marrion

Desirée Marrion is a member of Eastside Foursquare Church. She is a single mom, a grandmother, and an administrative assistant at a medical research center. You may reach her at: marrion8955@yahoo.com