Teens Blessing – The Lord will provide
Series: EIFACH muetig – with Jesus as a role model | Bible text: Genesis 22:8
«Dominus Providebit» – the Lord will provide. This is the message on the five-franc piece. It is the message that God will take care of you in due time. Above the followers of Jesus is the imprint «The Lord provides for me». It shows dependence on God and also that he is your personal provider. With the blessing of the teens comes religious maturity. Believing for oneself does not mean knowing everything, doing everything on one’s own. It means trusting, growing and also making mistakes.
Today we are celebrating a special moment: you teens of the Teens Blessing are about to become «religiously mature». What a big word – mature! It means: You may, you can, you should now believe for yourselves. No longer just with the words of others, but with your own. With your head, heart and mind. With questions, doubts – and trust.
This morning we are looking at a phrase that is not found on any holy book, Instagram profile or Tik Tok video, but on a coin: the Swiss five-franc coin. Perhaps you’ve already seen what’s engraved on the side: Dominus Providebit – The Lord will provide.
A sentence that is more than just a crude saying. It is a message and a promise from God. And an invitation to you: to learn to trust. To take responsibility. And to continue to discover and grow in your own faith.
The Lord will provide – but how?
These words come from one of the oldest stories in the Bible: Abraham is travelling on a mountain with his son Isaac. He has been instructed to make a sacrifice. What Isaac does not know is that God has instructed Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. Suddenly Isaac realises: «Wait a minute – we have wood and fire. But where is the animal for the sacrifice? Abraham replies: « «God will take care of it, my son» – They walked on in silence» (Genesis 22:8 HFA). The Latin translation of the Bible reads «Dominus Providebit» – God will provide. Abraham does not know how. He only knows that he must trust if he wants to remain faithful to his God. And that God sees what he needs. In the end, God does indeed provide – he provides a sacrifice. The story is dramatic, even harrowing, but its message is strong: God sees – and God provides. What does this mean for you today, as young people who take their faith into their own hands?
Faith – not just inherited, but carried
Until now, others may have believed for you and given you certain guidelines: your parents, your godparents, the church. But now you are invited to discover your own faith. Not as a ready-made answer, but as a path, as a relationship, as trust. You may not always be sure what you believe – and that’s perfectly fine. Faith does not mean getting rid of all doubts. Faith does not mean having all the answers. It means trusting, despite questions, that there is a God who sees you, who knows you and who walks with you.
If you now take your faith into your own hands, this also means that you take responsibility. For your decisions. For your walk with God. But also – and this is just as important – for the people around you. Each and every one of you as a follower of Jesus is also a message from God to this world.
This may sound challenging, but it is also a great opportunity. You can make a difference with your life. You can comfort, listen, help, hope. You can be courageous where others remain silent. And you can also fail – God still cares. God has created you wonderfully, unique and valuable. You can make a difference.
A piece of metal – and a big promise
What does all this have to do with a coin? A coin is something commonplace. It passes through many hands. Sometimes we overlook it. But the most important thing is in the detail. The five-franc coin is not worth the material it is made of. What gives it its value is the embossing on it. As followers of Jesus, we are to take responsibility – but our «imprint» is the basis. When we decide to live with Jesus Christ, it means that we decide to make our lives dependent on him. It is the decision in favour of «The Lord cares for me». This «imprint» stands over all followers of Jesus. This «Dominus Providebit» shows our dependence on God and also that he is the provider. It is therefore important to return to him again and again and recharge your batteries with him. For a while, this was what I did when I kept Isaiah 43:1 in mind: «[…] Fear not, for I have redeemed you! I have called you by name, you are mine» (Isaiah 43:1 ELB). Who knows, maybe your verse of blessing will become just such a saying and proclamation over your life.
Back to the Fünfliber: this little sentence on it – Dominus Providebit – reminds us that God is not only to be found in big things, but also in small things. In everyday life. In your school. In your teaching. In your family. In your heart. I don’t have to do everything in my own strength. I can trust. I am allowed to grow. I can make mistakes. And I can believe – with my heart, head and mind.
If you find yourself holding a five-franc piece like this in your hand again – think about it: God will provide. Perhaps not always in the way you expect. But always in such a way that you can go on. The Lord will provide. Just as was promised to the followers of Jesus in Philippians «And my God will give you all that you need from his great riches that we have in Christ Jesus» (Philippians 4:19 NLB). Not only for you – but also through you.
So that this doesn’t take too long, you will all receive a five-franc coin as a gift from seetal chile. You are free to use this as you wish. There are various options. Either you buy 2 ½ mate in the bistro with it, put it in a piggy bank, invite someone for a coffee, invest it and make more. Or like someone at the Praisecamp at one of these events. Get into a taxi, have it driven backwards for five francs (approx. 5 metres) or, my personal favourite: give it as a gift to someone you don’t know. If they then ask why, point to the two words on the edge «Dominus Providebit» God provides. Because you are rooted in him, you can pass it on. He provides. I am already looking forward to hearing your stories of how God has worked with you and how you have experienced His provision.
Possible questions for the small group
Read the Bible text: Genesis 22:8; Philippians 4:19
- The Lord will provide is the inscription on the five-franc coin. Where have you already experienced this provision?
- How do you feel about «believing yourself»? What influences were decisive for you? What things did you have to consciously let go of?
- With what characteristic can you pass on the love of God to other people in a natural way?
- Is the imprint «The Lord takes care of me» over your life? In which areas do you keep catching yourself «doing it yourself»? How could you gain more serenity in this area?
