Psalm 104:14-15 — He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; and wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.

The Lord is our Provider. One of the favorite names of God comes from the experience of Abraham when he took the boy Isaac to sacrifice on Mount Moriah. When Isaac asked “Where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering.” Of course God did exactly that!
Of course the sacrifice on Mount Moriah was a picture of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, so it was hugely significant — but when I think of God my Provider I think of so much more. These verses from Psalm 104 go to the heart of the matter.

There is nothing that God does not provide. 

It seems like a simple statement — He makes grass for cattle and “herb” for the service of men. But it’s really saying something wonderful about God. It’s saying that He provides variety — all the variety needed to satisfy every kind of creature in His creation. Notice, though, that the herb is provided “for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth”. It’s not that the abundance of vegetation serves man, but that man serves, or cultivates the vegetation to bring forth food — literally bread out of the earth.

God produces “wine that maketh glad the heart of man”. It’s just a fact, not an implied statement of approval. That wine lifts the spirits — at least, if wisely used. He provides oil that makes the face shine. Another translation says that wine makes the face shine more than anointing with oil. He makes bread, that strengthens man’s heart. The heart is the seat of life, the spiritual part of us, the place where our desires lie.

God provides for every part of a man, for body, spirit and heart. God provides for my every need, in an infinite variety of ways.

God provides everything for my every need. Sometimes I stop and think about all that goes into meeting just one of those needs. Try it some time. Start with one thing, and work backwards and marvel at what God has provided. Like me, perhaps you will want to repeat the opening and closing of the Psalm.

Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honor … Bless thou the Lord, O my soul. Praise ye the Lord.