Is it True That 'Where God Guides, He Provides'?

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Is it True That 'Where God Guides, He Provides'?
Whitney Hopler
Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
5 Aug 2022
Is it True That 'Where God Guides, He Provides'?
Are you hesitating to do something that God has led you to do, because you’re not sure you’ll be able to do it? The popular saying “where God guides, he provides” sounds reassuring. But is it really true that where God guides, he provides? Let’s explore the meaning of this phrase, and what the Bible says about it.

Where Does This Saying Come From?
The saying “where God guides, he provides” comes from a paraphrase of Isaiah 58:11. The Contemporary English Version of this verse is translated as: “The Lord will always guide you

and provide good things to eat when you are in the desert. He will make you healthy. You will be like a garden that has plenty of water or like a stream that never runs dry.” Other versions of Isaiah 58:11 convey the same meaning but sometimes use other words for “guide” and “provide.”

Other Bible verses present a similar message, in part. Psalm 32:8 describes God’s reliable guidance: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Philippians 4:19 addresses God’s provision: “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

So, while the exact words of the phrase “where God guides, he provides” don’t appear in the Bible, the concept of this saying reflects the Bible’s overall message.

Is it True That 'Where God Guides, He Provides'?
This saying is true, because it refers to the reality of what happens in relationships between God and people. You can trust that God will reliably provide what you need to do whatever he guides you to do. “Where God guides, he provides” encourages you to trust God to provide the two main resources you need to act on his guidance: time and money.


You don’t need to worry that you won’t have enough time in your busy schedule to do what God is guiding you to do. A powerful way to shift your perspective away from your time concerns and toward God’s provision is to pursue awe-inspiring experiences with God. Even brief experiences where you notice God’s wonder around you – such as a short nature walk – can give you that fresh perspective. Research described in my book Wake Up to Wonder shows that feeling awe changes how people perceive time. People participating in the studies reported feeling as if time had slowed down so they could focus on what matters most. They said they felt less stress and pressure to rush, and more peace and patience, than they did prior to awe-inspiring experiences. Participants also reported feeling greater life satisfaction overall, because they were less worried about time and more focused on God. By placing your focus on God, you will be able to transcend time pressures and make time for what God shows you is important.

Also, you don’t need to be concerned about whether or not you’ll have the money to do whatever God is leading you to do. Bible verses about money show that God always provides the financial resources that people need to do what’s best. Just as shifting your focus away from your circumstances and toward God can help you trust God with time concerns, that can also help you trust God with money concerns. Well-being research explained in Wake Up to Wonder shows that feeling awe from noticing God’s wonder helps people experience life satisfaction regardless of their financial circumstances. When you focus on God rather than on money, your financial worries are eclipsed by the knowledge that your loving and all-powerful God will provide for your needs.

What Evidence of This Do We See in the Bible?
Throughout the Bible, we see God both guiding people and providing for them. God’s wisdom and generosity shine through many different biblical passages, in addition to the ones we’ve already explored.

travel prayer, prayer for safe travel,

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Mantas Hesthaven 

Key Bible Verses on God’s Guidance Include:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” – James 1:5

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6