Psalm 36
Vv. 7-8: “How priceless is Your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of Your wings. They feast on the abundance of Your house; You give them drink from Your river of delights.”
The “Horn of Plenty” is the symbol of abundance. Stuffed inside is a bounty of fruit and vegetables. Yahweh-Yireh is a name for God that means, The Lord will provide. “Thanksgiving” is an annual holiday in the United States that celebrates gratitude for God’s abundance.
Over one hundred people, fleeing harsh labor under grueling conditions, landed at Cape Cod, Massachusetts on December 21, 1620. Half of them died that first harsh winter, yet no one boarded the Mayflower for the nine-week return to England.
One Native American named Squanto taught the Pilgrims how to grow corn, stalk deer, and catch fish. The governor of Plymouth, William Bradford, proclaimed a day of thanksgiving to God after their first harvest. They invited their red-skinned friends to their feast. Squanto brought food to share. The people ran races, and challenged each other using bows and arrows and muskets.
Sharing food with people after settling into a new place is a hospitality that survives today as a “getting-to-know-you” tradition. This charitable hospitality inspires friendship (1 Peter 4:9).
Yahweh-Yireh provides gifts every day, which we often overlook. We pray for “daily bread” in “The Lord’s Prayer,” while ignoring the starving multitudes. (Not everyone in the world eats even one meal a day). Living in plenty, people tend to take food for granted—until their food runs out. “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 promise defines Yahweh-Yireh.
But we serve a God of abundance!
Abundance is different than meeting needs. Abundance sings to our hearts. The beauty of a bowl of colorful fruit on a dining room table invites people to sit down and eat. Add flowers. Waft in the smells of a roasting turkey, corn, and pumpkin pie. Bright red cranberry salad sprinkles color. Imagine people occupying chairs lining all sides of the table set with napkins, plates and utensils.
Then light the green candles.
Oh my! Abundance is the generosity of God. Psalm 23:5 says He makes our cup overflow. Ephesians 3:20 says He “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think.” Jude:2 encourages, “To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.”
Take Home Nugget
May we never take Yahweh-Yireh’s provisions for granted. May we thank Him now, and then thank Him for His abundant gifts each day.
Let us keep praising God from whom all blessings flow!
J.D. Griffith
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