God
is Near
God has said,
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say
with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.”
Hebrews 13:5-6
For Roger and Melodie, giving to the
Lord was second nature. Over the past two months they had given Him
almost forty percent of their income, helping meet a few extra needs
within their community. With the remaining sixty percent sufficient
to meet their monthly debt, and feeling God leading them to help,
they gave cheerfully.
And then, without warning, Roger lost
his job. Melodie, who’d recently been laid off, was already
struggling to find employment in their small community. Within three
weeks they found themselves in their own financial need. They even
found themselves arguing over what little money they had.
Deciding prayer was better than
arguing, they asked God for peace. He responded immediately, “Do
not be afraid. I am here. You will not be taken from My hand.”
Right then they determined to remain God-sufficient, allowing Him to
work things out and meet their needs.
In the mail the next morning was a
rebate check from a past purchase they’d forgotten about, in the
amount of $250 dollars…twice the expected amount! It wasn’t the
house payment, but they could see God’s hand at work to encourage
them.
†
Many have experienced the overwhelming
fear of impending financial loss. It tests our faith and
relationships like nothing else can. So what are we to do when the
natural appears to be winning and Satan is out to steal our hope?
God wants us to take Him at His word:
“I am here. I am not caught unaware. I will provide exactly what
you need, when you need it. Do not be afraid. Stand firm! ”
To have faith during financial crisis
is simple in theology, yet daunting if we allow ourselves to focus on
what we don’t have or stand to lose. And therein lays the battle.
If we give in to worry, we lose. Conversely, if we refuse to
surrender our faith and trust God for our very existence, we cannot
lose.
God is
never taken by surprise. Have the faith to let Him deal with
your fear.
Prayer
“I am affected by money
more than I want to admit, LORD. Help me trust in
Your provision, even if the sky is falling. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”
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