The first 4 years my adopted Ugandan son was with me, I experienced no fears about the future or my ability to support him. Recently, however, as I’ve struggled to pay bills and survive on a small ministry salary that provides us with no buffer, I’ve entered into a worrisome state. My fleshly desires have tilted toward greater financial security rather than the need to trust God’s provision on a seemingly day-to-day basis.
Living in East Africa, I’m surrounded by people suffering from extreme poverty. I know that I’m materially far better off than 98 percent of the people around me. Yet during the past 3 weeks I’ve had a hard time clinging to the truths of Psalm 84:10-12:
• The Lord “is our sun and our shield” (Psalm 84:11).
• “He gives us grace and glory” (Psalm 84:11).
• “The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right (Psalm 84:11).
• Joy is found as we trust in Him (Psalm 84:12).
Yesterday, I stopped at an ATM in Kampala, Uganda. When I emerged with cash in my hand, my 9-year-old son said, “Mommy, God’s blessed us with money.” Somewhat skeptically, I said, “Yes, God’s providing for us bit by bit.” My son sweetly replied, “Mommy, God provides for us a lot by a lot!”
God has chosen to bless me with a son who by his own example of faith challenges me to humble myself, to trust that God will lift me up in honor, and to give all my worries and care to Him (1 Peter 5:6-8).
If you sometimes struggle to rest in the truth that God will provide for all your needs, please join me in praying that He will strengthen our faith and increasingly help us to maintain our trust in Him.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 4:16-30
More:
Read Jeremiah 31:35 and consider how God provides for you on a daily basis.
Next:
List five unexpected ways God has provided for you in the past 2 months. Why do we often worry about the future even though we know God holds it in His hands?
askbeloved on June 23, 2013 at 3:42 am
I join you in praying that God will provide for our needs but above all, strengthen our faith and increasingly help us to maintain our trust in Him, amen and amen!
dr.lightsey on June 23, 2013 at 7:54 am
Roxanne, I am joining with you in prayer for increased faith and favor that God would not only supply all our needs but also allow us to live in the “overflow” to be a blessing to others and to kingdom work. According to our faith, be it unto us.
alli on June 23, 2013 at 9:32 pm
Thank you
GChoo on June 24, 2013 at 10:07 am
A scripture comes to mind in Matthew 7:25-34. As it says in verse 33, “Let us seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to us as well. ” May this be my pray for you Roxanne and all of us too. Amen.
GChoo on June 24, 2013 at 10:08 am
Sorry, just realise a typing mistake. It is Matthew 6:25-34.
mike wittmer on June 25, 2013 at 1:32 pm
Thank you for sharing this struggle with us. I am praying for you and for your son. This doesn’t sound like fun but what an opportunity to see our gracious God supply all your needs.