“Prosperity”- You keep using that word…

By Elizabeth Prata

SYNOPSIS: Are you in a season where the Lord’s supply or provision for you or your family seems meager? Ask yourself instead, is it sufficient?

Phil Johnson is Executive Director of the global ministry Grace to You, editor of John MacArthur’s books, and co-leads his Sunday School class called GraceLife.

I decided to do some cooking and listen to Phil Johnson’s sermon while chopping. His sermon is called “Not So Radical” and it is a message he is preaching through the Psalms of Ascents. He is up to Psalm 128.

Pastor Johnson explained that the psalms of ascents were songs the Israelites would sing on the way to Jerusalem. No matter what direction you approached Jerusalem from, and mostly the only way to go was the Jericho road, was uphill. You hiked. You climbed. You sweated. It was 3400 arduous feet uphill all the way. You did this three times a year. Grandma had to be carried in a cart drawn by an ox. The rest just hiked. These songs were songs they would sing in praise and anticipation of the worship festival to come, and would remind them of Who they were going to worship in the coming days.

Psalm 128:5 states the following:

“The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life!”

Pr. Johnson looped back to verse 1 which opens with a message about how fearing the LORD brings blessing. He said,

“We don’t hear enough about holy fear these days. Modern preachers like to encourage familiarity rather than fear, and that’s why so much of today’s worship is casual, flippant, man-centered. But Scripture is full of admonitions to fear the Lord. For many today, that is an unfamiliar concept.”

Holy Fear is important to possess, to ponder, to talk about. Fearing the Lord should be an integral part of a Christian’s life. Not a servile fear. But a trembling fear of awe and reverence. He is YAHWEH, after all.

Then he moved into explaining prosperity and blessing.

“The word prosperity here in our text speaks of the biblical concept of divine blessing, spiritual affluence, and material sufficiency. This kind of prosperity has nothing whatsoever to do with the worldly idea of mammon. The world’s idea of prosperity is overabundance, opulence, luxury, self-indulgence–all dependent on material wealth. The Lord’s definition of prosperity (by contrast) is full forgiveness, the imputation of perfect righteousness, and “grace to help in time of need”–all blessings of eternal value.

“Sometimes the Lord’s supply seems meager, but it is always sufficient. He measures his blessings carefully, so that a glut of earthly prosperity doesn’t extinguish our hope of heaven. And even that is a great blessing.”

Sometimes the Lord blesses by sustaining with a large amount of means, as He did with Job and Abraham. Sometimes the Lord blesses by sustaining exactly enough with little extra, as He does with me and perhaps with you. Sometimes He seems not to have sustained at all, as with the beggar at the gate, but in fact did sustain him with plenty of faith. Or sustain the paralyzed man let down through the roof with committed and loving friends. The Lord takes care of us financially and He takes care of us spiritually. What may seem meager to one or another person, is in fact perfection.

“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)

“So Abraham called the name of that place, “The LORD will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.” (Genesis 22:14).

The Lord shall provide for you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For further reading:

Phil Johnson: Not So Radical
(if the link still isn’t working yet listen here at sermon audio)

Our Daily Bread: God provides…but how?

Pastor Rick Henderson: The False Promise of the Prosperity Gospel: Why I Called Out Joel Osteen and Joyce Meyer

Bowyer Bible print 5484 Christ washes his disciples' feet John 13:5-9 Schellenberg. Robert Bowyer (d.1834) expanded his copy of the Macklin Bible by inserting over 6200 different prints. The Bowyer Bible is now housed in Bolton Museum. For these prints see https://archive.org/details/bowyer-bible
where Philip De Vere has created flip-books from Phillip Medhurst's photo-collection.
#BoltonMuseum #bible #extraillustration #grangerisation #MacklinBible #interleaved #print #engraving #etching #christianartwork

Bowyer Bible print 0440 Abraham driving away Hagar. Genesis cap 21 v 14. Hamilton. Robert Bowyer (d.1834) expanded his copy of the Macklin Bible by inserting over 6200 different prints. The Bowyer Bible is now housed in Bolton Museum. For these prints see https://archive.org/details/bowyer-bible
where Philip De Vere has created flip-books from Phillip Medhurst's photo-collection.
#BoltonMuseum #bible #extraillustration #grangerisation #MacklinBible #interleaved #print #Bibleart #Christianart #christianartwork

“the Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse, nor will he harbour his anger for ever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭103‬:‭8‬-‭12‬ ‭NIVUK‬‬
#bible #prayer

“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits –
Psalm 103:1-2 NIVUK
#bible #prayer

Relying on human strategy without seeking divine counsel inevitably leads to vulnerability, illustrating impending trouble for the person who "trusts in man and makes flesh his strength" (Jeremiah 17:5 NKJV).

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Kay Cude poetry: Our Fortress Prevails

Poetry by Kay Cude. Used with permission.  Right click on image to open larger in new tab. Or read the text below the artwork. Artist’s statement:

I keep returning to our (me!!) needing to “remember” God’s promises and provision. GOD THE I AM is the only fortress in Whom we find a righteous protector, defender and provider. He is the only place of eternal refuge from the world’s continuing tragedies and chaos. He is the stronghold Who is and Who will provide peace, wisdom, understanding, instruction and endurance.

OUR FORTRESS PREVAILS

FACING FEAR:
IN THE MIDST OF GOD’S PROVIDENCE
As waves of fear rolled nearer still, as deep its swell approached us nigh; our hearts near failed as we cried out, “O Lord, Your servants rescue now!” And crashed the waves of terror strong, our lives at risk — we knew death’s tide; yet stilled our hearts Your Glorious Word and on we clung and Truth prevailed.

As deep and dark, as depth of brine, we battled ‘gainst the foe’s onslaught; its torrents fierce as bounding main, — with cruelest rage this foe can slay. Yet in Your Will, O Saviour ours, Salvation’s Light’s our mighty Ark; afloat we stay midst evil’s gale, for You prevail within its rage.

Afloat we ride with knowledge sure, we look ahead with strength not ours; Endurance meets us Face-to-face, ’tis You our Strength our sure Bulwark, The fears we face — our spirit’s gain, makes strong we resolute of heart, to live God’s Will through providence — and triumph through His Will’s Intent.

~kay cude, October 1, 2017

“The LORD is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer, my GOD, my Rock, in whom I take refuge; my Shield and the Horn of my Salvation, my Stronghold. I call upon the LORD, WHO is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. The cords of death encompassed me, and the torrents of ungodliness terrified me. The ropes of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my GOD for help; HE heard my voice out of HIS TEMPLE, and my cry for help before HIM CAME INTO HIS EARS.” Psalm 18:2-6

Study Resources:

Desiring God: God’s Bright Design for Your Bitter Providences

Mike Ratliff: Persecution is the Natural Result of Teaching or Preaching without Compromise

Bible.org: Lesson 61: God’s Providential Protection (Acts 23:12-35)

Phil Johnson: Providence IS Remarkable

OUR FORTRESS PREVAILS
Refer to Psalm 46. FEAR NOT, GOD IS OUR ETERNAL REFUGE AND STRENGTH.

“We will not fear, for God hath willed His Truth to triumph through us; The body they may kill. God’s Truth abideth still, His Kingdom is FOREVER.” ~Martin Luther

IT IS the grace of God through His unfathomable mercy through the power of His predetermined love that urges us to remain and stand in His will concerning providence! WHAT THEN

IS IT that assails our thoughts with such unrelenting vengeance that can tempt us into overbearing fear when trials overtake us?

IT IS not remembering His Word — that He is Sovereign over all circumstances and issues we will encounter during our lives, during our service to, for and through Him…

Art: THE NINTH WAVE, Hovhannes Aivazovsky (1817-1900) PD, State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg. https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid-21854187

Bowyer Bible print 4397 The transfiguration of Jesus Mark 9:2-8 De Vos. Robert Bowyer (d.1834) expanded his copy of the Macklin Bible by inserting over 6200 different prints. The Bowyer Bible is now housed in Bolton Museum. For these prints see https://archive.org/details/bowyer-bible
where Philip De Vere has created flip-books from Phillip Medhurst's photo-collection.
#BoltonMuseum #bible #extraillustration #grangerisation #MacklinBible #print #engraving #etching #Bibleillustration #Bibleart #Christianart

"Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink."

Genesis 21:19 #Bible #miracles #provision

Bowyer Bible print 4128 The entombment of Jesus Matthew 27 Schellenberg. Robert Bowyer (d.1834) expanded his copy of the Macklin Bible by inserting over 6200 different prints. The Bowyer Bible is now housed in Bolton Museum. For these prints see https://archive.org/details/bowyer-bible
where Philip De Vere has created flip-books from Phillip Medhurst's photos.
#BoltonMuseum #bible #extraillustration #grangerisation #MacklinBible #interleaved #etching #Bibleillustration #Bibleart #Christianart #christianartwork

Bowyer Bible print 3756 The transfiguration Matthew 17:1-6 Merian. Robert Bowyer (d.1834) expanded his copy of the Macklin Bible by inserting over 6200 different prints. The Bowyer Bible is now housed in Bolton Museum. For these prints see https://archive.org/details/bowyer-bible
where Philip De Vere has created flip-books from Phillip Medhurst's photos.
#BoltonMuseum #bible #extraillustration #grangerisation #MacklinBible #interleaved #print #etching #Bibleillustration #Bibleart #Christianart #christianartwork

Bowyer Bible print 3546 Simon Peter and Andrew with Christ Matthew 4:18-22 Perelle. Robert Bowyer (d1834) expanded his copy of the Macklin Bible by inserting over 6200 different prints. The Bowyer Bible is now housed in Bolton Museum. For these prints see https://archive.org/details/bowyer-bible
where Philip De Vere has created flip-books from Phillip Medhurst's photos.
#BoltonMuseum #bible #extraillustration #grangerisation #print #engraving #etching #Bibleillustration #Bibleart #Christianart #christianartwork

Bowyer Bible print 3349 Virgin and Child after Raphael. Robert Bowyer (d1834) expanded his copy of the Macklin Bible by inserting over 6200 different prints. The Bowyer Bible is now housed in Bolton Museum. For these prints see https://archive.org/details/bowyer-bible
where Philip De Vere has created flip-books from Phillip Medhurst's photo-collection.
#BoltonMuseum #bible #extraillustration #grangerisation #MacklinBible #interleaved #print #engraving #Bibleillustration #Bibleart #Christianart #christianartwork

Bowyer Bible print 0439 Abraham driving away Hagar. Genesis cap 21 v 10. Borcht. Robert Bowyer (d.1834) expanded his copy of the Macklin Bible by inserting over 6200 prints. The Bowyer Bible is now housed in Bolton Museum. For these prints see https://archive.org/details/bowyer-bible
where Philip De Vere has created flip-books from Phillip Medhurst's photo-collection.
#BoltonMuseum #bible #extraillustration #grangerisation #MacklinBible #interleaved #print #engraving #Bibleart #Christianart #christianartwork

“‘Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭13‬:‭38‬-‭39‬ ‭NIVUK‬‬
~ This was Paul, speaking at a synagogue in Pisidian Antioch, near modern day Yalvaç in central Türkiye.
#bible

Bowyer Bible print 0077 Birds Genesis 1:20 Füssli engraved by Frederich. Robert Bowyer (d.1834) expanded his copy of the Macklin Bible by inserting over 6200 different prints. The Bowyer Bible is now housed in Bolton Museum. For these prints see https://archive.org/details/bowyer-bible
where Philip De Vere has created flip-books from Phillip Medhurst's photo-collection.
#BoltonMuseum #bible #MacklinBible #interleaved #print #engraving #etching #Bibleillustration #Bibleart #Christianart #christianartwork

Bowyer Bible print 3610. A print in the Bowyer Bible without any editing of a photo taken with a hand-held camera in normal ambient lighting. Without a wide-angle lens bulging was caused from the centre of the image. A curvature can be seen in the disposition of the imperfectly-flattened sheets from the left-hand spine of the binding of the volumes. For the full set, see https://archive.org/details/bowyer_bible_unprocessed_images
#BoltonMuseum #bible #extraillustration #grangerisation #MacklinBible #interleaved #print #engraving

Bowyer Bible print 5633 Jesus is laid in the sepulchre John 19:38-42 De Vos. Robert Bowyer (d.1834) expanded his copy of the Macklin Bible by inserting over 6200 different prints. The Bowyer Bible is housed in Bolton Museum. For these prints see https://archive.org/details/bowyer-bible
where Philip De Vere has created flip-books from Phillip Medhurst's photo-collection.
#BoltonMuseum #bible #extraillustration #grangerisation #print #engraving #etching #Bibleillustration #Bibleart #Christianart #christianartwork

Bowyer Bible print 5294 Christ turns water into wine John 2:8-10 Füssli engraved by Pintz. Robert Bowyer (d.1834) expanded his copy of the Macklin Bible by inserting over 6200 different prints. The Bowyer Bible is now housed in Bolton Museum. For these prints see https://archive.org/details/bowyer-bible
where Philip De Vere has created flip-books from Phillip Medhurst's photo-collection.
#BoltonMuseum #bible #extraillustration #engraving #etching #Bibleillustration #Bibleart #Christianart #christianartwork

Sennacherib’s seemingly unstoppable siege dissolved instantly when "the angel of the Lord went out, and [struck down] in the camp of the Assyrians" (2 Kings 19:35 NKJV), demonstrating that all power is entirely subject to divine sovereignty.

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"These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: 'Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.'"

Matthew 10:5-7 #Bible #JesusChrist #calling

Do you have pesky ways of thinking that run long and deep, much like roots from a tough old tree?" If so, what can you do? Click or tap below to read more.
#afaithfulsower #christianity #Bible #Jesus #dailydevotion

https://afaithfulsower.org/2026/06/20/turning-pesky-stumps-and-roots-into-something-praiseworthy/