God’s got it covered.

You may recall the story of Jesus directing Peter to catch a fish and take the coin from its mouth to pay their taxes.  (Matt 17:24-27)  Sure enough, he did just that.  You might think that was an extraordinary coincidence, or maybe the supernatural intervention of God.  But it was neither.  Instead, it was the natural outpouring of God’s love for His dear children – which Jesus understood and proved over and over.

Jesus could have just as easily said to Peter, “check with the guys to see if they have some things they don’t need and then go sell them in the market place.  With any luck we should be able to scrape enough together to cover the payment.”  That might be the option you or I would choose.  But Jesus wanted to always direct thought to God: to His provision, His generosity, His consistency.  He wanted everyone to know that God’s got it covered!

And not just Jesus proved this law of the superabundance of good.  The prophet Elisha helped a widow woman to get out of debt by selling her oil: way more oil than she had imagined was contained in that tiny little pot.  (1 Kings 4:1-7)  These are just two of many instances found in the Scriptures of overcoming limits.

Because we make the mistake of thinking that these were miracles, we don’t expect that same kind of divine generosity right here, right now.  Jesus said that faith the size of a mustard seed would move a mountain.  (Luke 17:6)  What’s the difference between moving a mountain of fear or debt or doubt – and tons of rock and earth?  It’s only perspective.  God gladly moves whatever prevents us from seeing Him as He truly is.

When the rich man came to him asking what to do to inherit eternal life, Jesus suggested that he sell everything and follow him.  (Mark 10:17-22)  The man was apparently terrified that doing so would deprive him of something necessary and helpful, and he went away very sad.  He didn’t know how generous God is.  So generous in fact, that Jesus told his disciples who had indeed left everything behind that they shall “receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.”  (Luke 18:30) There is no record in the Gospels that Jesus and his disciples were uncared for or went without.

Surely the Master – who knew his Father’s great heart and showed it to us with every word and deed – was not speaking out of turn when he said “seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.  Your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.  But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”  (Luke 12:29-32)

Isaiah said as much of God centuries earlier: “The rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”  (Is 55:11,12)

In both passages, the message is clear: God can do it, God is doing it, God will continue to do it.  Mary Baker Eddy echoes that sentiment when she writes: “Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need.”  (Science and Health page 494)

Remember, God’s got it covered.

Melissa Hayden is a Christian Science practitioner in Salem, OR. You can find more information and additional articles at this link.  If you like what you’re reading, click the “add me” button.