In life we will experience our share of lean times. God has many reasons for allowing hardship, but promises to get us through. One of His purposes is to condition us to be grateful and train us to give when His providence brings us into greater blessings. He knows how to bring us from a place of just enough to more than enough. He wants us to trust Him to reverse the course. He is a God of redemption. It’s His business. He wants to give us hope for the future.
Hear God’s heart speak: “in My wrath I smote you, but in My favor, pleasure, and goodwill I have had mercy, love, and pity for you” (Isaiah 60:10 AMPLIFIED).
RELEVANCE
When it came time for the children of Israel to leave Egypt and embark on their journey towards the Promised Land, God instructed the people to ask their neighbors for articles of silver, gold and clothing. He encouraged them saying, “And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be, when you go, that you shall not go empty-handed… So you shall plunder the Egyptians” (Exodus 3:21-22). They in fact made it 40 years through the desert until they came into the land of their inheritance. God provided food day by day. Scripture records how they had no lack, and “each one had gathered according to each one’s need.”
I have a friend who worked in IT for a particular company for many years. When it came time for his pink slip, God showered him with grace to have hope. Shortly after his termination, he ran into a particular business owner who needed an IT person. After that project ended, he ran into another business owner. Then the original company called him back for another project. Upon leaving, he saw trash cans filled with thousands of dollars of computers, software packages and networking equipment. He asked for them and was granted them. Within a week he started getting calls from an internet listing. Two weeks later all the equipment he was given found homes! God continues to grace him with favor.
REFLECT AND RELATE
When in need, be reminded of the LORD’s discourse on how your heavenly Father knows your need and how to provide. He asks one thing: “seek first thekingdomofGodand His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33-34).
REFERENCES
Matthew 6:25-34