“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19, NKJV)

     Recently, four Indigenous children from the Huitoto people were rescued in the Amazon jungle in Columbia. The youngsters ranged from eleven months to thirteen years of age. The foursome survived a plane crash that took the lives of three adults, including the children’s mother.

     Their extraordinary survival in a dense rainforest that is notorious for snakes, mosquitoes, and panthers lasted forty days. Prior to their rescue, the children survived on casava flour given by their mother, as well as berries common to the jungle. Columbian President, Gustavo Petro, said, “The jungle saved them.” The berries were in full harvest during the time the children went missing.

     Paul claimed that God does the same thing for each of us. God provides for all of our needs. Each day. Every day.

     Of course, God distinguishes the difference between our needs and our wants. Oftentimes, the things we want are not what we need. My job requires that I have a car to move from one location to another. My dream is to drive a Corvette. God, however, has granted me the provision of
a small, but reliable, Honda.

     Graciously accepting the difference between what we want and what God provides is key to a contented life. Gratitude for the gifts we receive leads us to greater measures of joy. When you appreciate more greatly the gifts you are given, the greater your appreciation for the giver will become.

     As the hymn writer, Johnson Oatman, once wrote:

           Count your blessings, name them one by one;
           And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.