Is God Enough?
- Deedee Muehlbauer
- Jan 12, 2021
- 4 min read
I really dislike that question. When I hear that question, I imagine myself sitting on a sidewalk somewhere - no home, no food, no family, no friends, and poor health with only the clothes on my back, asking, “Is God enough?”
I’m just going to lay it out there. I would answer, “No.”
I’d want a place to live, food, clothing, family, friends, and my health. I know that’s an extreme image, but that's where the question takes me.
What Does God Being Enough Mean?
In Philippians 4:19, Paul tells us, “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.”
That’s pretty clear that God will supply my needs. I have to remember that what I think is a need and what God thinks is a need may be totally different, but he will supply what I need.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus talks about worry. In Matthew 6:25, Jesus tells us, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on.” He tells us not to worry about it because in verse 32 he tells us he knows we need those things.
Pondering this question took me back to the creation story in Genesis 1. God created everything so we would have enough. He even created Eve to be a helper to Adam. He says, “But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him.” (Gen 2:20) He knew Adam was not enough on his own. He needed help - not only to care for the earth but also for companionship and relationship. God created us to be in community and to be in relationship with each other.
Based on all of those examples, I believe God doesn’t want me to go without my basic needs being met. So, “Is God enough?” is more than meeting basic needs.
Perhaps, the question is better asked in individual situations. If this prognosis comes back badly, is God enough? If I don’t get this job, is God enough? If I lose this relationship, is God enough? Honestly, that doesn’t make sense to me either. There’s still a disconnect between the first part of the question and the last part.
I applied the question to my present situation. I’m walking around in a cast on my leg from ankle surgery. I’m potentially going to have to wear it longer than expected because COVID has hit the Muehlbauer household.
If I follow this line of questioning, I would ask, “If I don’t get my cast off when I should, is God enough?” What does God being enough have to do with whether or not I wear a cast?
The Better Question
To me the better question is “If I don’t get my cast off when I should, do I trust that God has it all under control, and it will be OK? Is God’s word enough? Now, that makes complete sense to me.
If this prognosis comes back badly, do I trust that God has it all under control, and it will be OK? Is God’s word enough?
If I don’t get this job, do I trust that God has it all under control, and it will be OK? Is God’s word enough?
If I lose this relationship, do I trust that God has it all under control, and it will be OK? Is God’s word enough?
God’s Promises
When I say, “God’s word”, I think of all the promises he has made throughout scripture, and these verses come to mind:
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you. Psalm 55:22a
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Matthew 6:31-32
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6
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
So, when you see or hear the question, “Is God enough?” change the question to “Is God’s word enough?” and cling to the promises God has made. I pray we can all say, “God’s word is ENOUGH.”
You can download the above verses to print out here:
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