The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

~Isaiah 58:11 NIV

I admire people with gardening skills. Although my parents were garden-minded, they did not pass that gene down to me. Still, I learned the Lord supplies all our needs.

Our Needs

Every summer, Dad set up his garden in well-fertilized soil by the barn. Corn, potatoes, and pole beans grew in abundance. On the east side of the house, Mom’s efforts produced gladiolas, chrysanthemums, and irises, balanced with carrots, peas, leaf lettuce, and some squash. Sadly, when asked to pull weeds, I couldn’t distinguish them from carrots.

God compares His people to a well-watered garden. We have instructions for success right in His Word.

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

~Colossians 2:7 NLT

Similar to the lushness of those summer gardens of my childhood, what the Lord plants in us and nurtures brings unmistakable results.

When I encountered Isaiah’s prophetic statement in my prayer journal as the verse for reflection, it settled in my heart just when I needed it.

After two years of consideration, prayer, and discussion, my husband and I decided to move to Idaho. My emotions were like a rollercoaster. I love Washington state. It was my home and where my roots were. But we needed a place with a lower cost of living. Fortunately, we have family in the Boise area who own rental properties, and they offered access to one of them. While dragging my heels through the dirt a bit, I recognized God’s plan unfolding.

I gave thanks to God for reassuring me of what He promised through Isaiah. Cautiously, I began anticipating that well-watered garden in my heart. Still, my tears spurted like a hole-punctured water hose at the thought of being at a distance from family and friends still living in Washington.

God’s Supply

Although we have moved many times in our fifty years of marriage, it never gets easier. The task seems overwhelming. Of all the details and factors that must be considered—the expense, the packing, the travel, and the weather—the biggest issue for me was finding appropriate help to load the U-Haul moving truck in Washington and then unload it in Idaho. In our 70s now, we’re not as strong as we once were and couldn’t manage all the physical challenges.

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.

Philippians 4:19 NLT

A song by Landon Wolfe popped up frequently and worked its way into my heart. The lyrics echo Paul’s advice in his letter to the Philippians. As we prepared to move, my favorite line reverberated often in my head. It told of how God was not empty-handed and gives us blessings upon blessings.

This truth became reality when fellows from our church’s small group stepped up to help us with the loading in Washington. I reached out to friends in Idaho, asking if they knew any strong, trustworthy folks who could give us a hand when we got there. One of them put me in touch with a lady from her church who organized a work crew. They, along with a few other friends, showed up within an hour of our arrival there.

With great camaraderie, they quickly completed the task. And not the least of it was a prayer offered by one of the crew. He gave thanks to God for our safe journey and spoke a blessing on our home. There have been times when my husband and I had the privilege of being the hands and feet of Jesus, and now we had our turn to receive.

Whether you are the one giving or receiving, realize that the Lord supplies all our needs. Let Him supply yours. 

Thank You, God, for supplying all our needs through Christ Jesus. Please bless all those who have participated in being Your hands and feet. Amen.

 

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2026: The Lord Supplies All Our Needs: Anita van der Elst: All Rights Reserved.