HE KNOWS WHAT WE NEED BEFORE WE ASK - Matthew 17:24-27
What Does it Say?  On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax came to Peter and asked him, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the Temple tax?” “Yes, he does,” Peter replied. Then he went into the house. But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered? ” “They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free! However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.” (Matthew 17:24-27 NLT)
How Does it Apply?  Jesus is not concerned at all about where they were going to get the money to pay the tax.  He tells Peter exactly where to go, what to do, and how to find the money to pay the temple tax.  God knows what we need before we tell him.  If we are following Jesus, we know He will provide for all our needs as he promises in Philippians 4:19.  He provides for our financial needs as well as other needs, like wisdom to know where to focus our time, energy, and resources as well as the skills we need to get His work done.  When an unexpected need comes up, ask God to help before looking elsewhere.  Our confidence in God can be measured by our prayer life.  He knows what we will need before we do.  We don't need to beg Him to help us.  He loves us and wants us to learn to depend on Him for all our needs.  He told Peter to go fishing; which was something Peter already knew how to do because he was a fisherman before he met Jesus.  Peter's confidence in God would have been strengthened when He did what Jesus told him to do and found a coin in the mouth of the first fish he caught just as Jesus said he would.  Why are we surprised when God provides for our needs in unexpected ways?  If Peter had not followed Jesus’ instructions, he would not have found the coin to pay the tax and his faith would not have been built up.  Because Peter was a fisherman before he met Jesus, he probably enjoyed the fishing trip. Sometimes rest and relaxation are part of our instructions.  Start your day by asking God what He wants you to do and watch to see what He does with your obedience.

Women's Ministries
Women's Ministries