Philippians 4:19 NLT “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”.

Robert Louis Johnson became America’s 1st Black Billionaire in 2001 along with his former wife Sheila. Through business ventures including founding Black Entertainment Television (more famously known as BET), RLJ Holding Companies and previously owning a majority of the Charlotte Bobcats this African American male made his fortunes.

Today this same man is using his prominence to bring attention to reparations for Black people of this country. Johnson since June 2020 has been pushing the government to cut a check for the result of systemic racism and slavery for over 200 years–including one for him. “Black folks have been denied $13-15 trillion of wealth and therefore we as a country now must atone by paying black people of all stripes — the rich ones, the poor ones, and the middle — out of our pocket,”.

Johnson states that reparations should look like investment programs rather than charity. He further alludes that monies provided by the government will be a reimbursement or recompense for harm that were caused to Blacks from the start of the Atlantic Slave Trade to today. Whether or not reparations are given remains to be seen. Debatable questions on who gets, how much, how its distributed and to what causes may or may not be ever be answered.

Yet praise God His people will ALWAYS be provided for-no matter what people or laws pass. For He, Jehovah Jireh, is the ultimate authority. Granting all those in need in accordance to His will.

The first time God is called Jehovah Jireh is in the Old Testament book of Genesis Chapter 22. Abraham gets instruction from God to take his only son Isaac to the Mount Moriah to sacrifice him. Fully trusting God to resurrect Isaac if need be, Abraham obeys. Yet God stops Abraham seeing his devotion to Him and instead provides a ram in the bush.

The word provide in Hebrew has a greater meaning. It also means “to see to it” and “experience”/ “perceive”. So God our Lord is “The God who gives for He sees and experiences” our needs. He knows us so intimately. We can always trust his heart to make a way for our best interests.

Concern (C): Sister, did you ever notice a time when God sent someone or something to help you at a desperate or special time of need? 1 Kings 17:7-16 The story of Elijah and the Widow at Zarephath.  God directed a widow with nearly nothing to supply the prophet Elijah with food.  In turn for her faith, she was provided with bread that never ran out.

Encouragement (E): God sees you, just keep going through. Ps 84:11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Act (A): Meditate on your biggest challenge/need today. Amplify it like a giant wave ready to sweep. Then focus on a vision of Jesus in the boat with you. Lean on into His arms as He quiets and stills the storm. How do you feel? Is there peace or still a rippling wave? Are there still grey skies or have the lightened up to a baby blue with puffy white clouds. What kind of ending thought has God provided for you with the blessed assurance you have in Him?