Provision 2025
Provision Through Fear
Sunday, June 22, 2025
God never promised we’d live a life free from difficulty—in fact, He said the opposite. But through it all, He offers protection, provision, and peace, even when fear surrounds us. This week, let’s explore how God walks with us through hard times, how shadows can’t hurt us, and how even real attacks are no match for His promises.
Discussion Point #1: Has there been a time when you saw God’s deliverance firsthand? Please share.
Psalm 34:19 (ESV) 19Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
God acknowledges that righteous people will go through many afflictions. But He also promises deliverance every time. Think about what you might be personally going through and know that God will deliver you.
Discussion Point #2: As a child, were you ever afraid of shadows or the dark? What “shadows” do you have in your life right now?
Psalm 23:4 (AMP) 4Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.
Shadows are defined as dark areas on a surface where light from a light source is blocked by an object. They can be dark and intimidating but are ultimately powerless. Shadows can’t hurt you because they aren’t the actual object. God will guide you through whatever shadow or “darkness” is in your life.
We’ve talked about shadows—things that appear threatening but can’t actually harm us. But what about actual weapons—the kind carefully formulated to be used against you and your family?
Discussion Point #3: Discussion #3: Can you describe a time when it felt like the enemy had specifically targeted you—and how God helped you overcome it?
Isaiah 54:17 (AMP) 17No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; And every tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn. This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And this is their vindication from Me,” says the Lord.
When a weapon is formed, the enemy that made it studied you. He knows your weaknesses, your past, your pressure points and fashions weapons meant specifically to harm you. However, those formulated plots, plans, and schemes cannot hurt you because God is our protection.
Psalm 91 (AMP)
1He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will remain secure and rest in the shadow of the Almighty [whose power no enemy can withstand].
2I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust [with great confidence, and on whom I rely]!”
3For He will save you from the trap of the fowler, and from the deadly pestilence.
4He will cover you and completely protect you with His pinions, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and a wall.
5You will not be afraid of the terror of night, nor of the arrow that flies by day,
6nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction (sudden death) that lays waste at noon.
7A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but danger will not come near you.
8You will only [be a spectator as you] look on with your eyes and witness the [divine] repayment of the wicked [as you watch safely from the shelter of the Most High].
9Because you have made the Lord, [who is] my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place,
10no evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent.
11For He will command His angels in regard to you, to protect and defend and guard you in all your ways [of obedience and service].
12They will lift you up in their hands, so that you do not [even] strike your foot against a stone.
13You will tread upon the lion and cobra; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
14“Because he set his love on Me, therefore I will save him; I will set him [securely] on high, because he knows My name [he confidently trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never abandon him, no, never].
15He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.
16With a long life I will satisfy him and I will let him see My salvation.”
Notice how the verses change from King David talking in 1-13 to God talking in 14-16:
"Because he has set his love on ME… I will save him…
Because he knows MY name… I will never abandon him…
he will call upon ME and I will answer him…
I will be with him in trouble…I will rescue him…
I will satisfy him with long life…
I will let him see MY salvation."
We know David can’t save himself or give himself long life. There is a footnote in the amplified version that says: “The wonderful promises of this chapter are dependent upon one’s meeting the conditions stated in these first two verses.” In obedience, there is provision through fear. It’s just a shadow—shadows can’t hurt you.
Challenge for the Week: Re-read the scriptures from today’s lesson and take time to find and reflect on others that attack fear… Provision is available even though there is fear.