God's Gifts are Extravagant
As we gather for celebrations in our lives, we’re invited to pause and remember God’s generosity—stacking stones of remembrance, much like those in Joshua 4. These stones remind us of God's countless provisions and gifts, grounding us in gratitude and trust.
To refresh our memories, Joshua was tasked with leading the Israelites into the Promised Land, requiring them to cross the Jordan River. God miraculously parted the waters, allowing them to cross on dry ground.
God then encouraged them to build a stone monument of remembrance. These stones would serve as a lasting reminder for future generations of the powerful God they serve.
"Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” Joshua 4: 5-8
This next holiday, think of God’s table as a symbol of His abundance, overflowing with the goodness He provides. While there are seasons of financial and spiritual abundance, unexpected challenges and disasters will arise. Such moments remind us that we are stewards, not owners, entrusted with resources from God. When we choose to live with open arms, recognizing His provision, we see that God’s generosity always exceeds what we might expect or afford.
The truth is, God’s gifts are extravagant. They call us to live with open hearts and hands, knowing that everything we have is a gift from an abundantly giving God. So, let us not cling tightly to what we possess but share these blessings with others. We declare that our security lies not in our provisions, but in our Provider.
Every good gift comes from God, and his blessings pour out in abundance and overflow.
Recently, I had a bride remind me of this very truth - that God gives extravagantly even though we do not deserve it. She shared her heart of going into missions and her love of Jesus. In her words...
"I’m not sure really why I’m sharing all this, except that I am so amazed at how kind our Father is in caring about the smallest of details, especially those ones that feel too extravagant for us. It’s simply grace."
Wow - do you believe that God cares about those little details that only you know and care about? He does. He is the one who made you, and his thoughts about you are precious and innumerable.
