I was about 24, working three jobs, and making my way through seminary. Needless to say, I was poor. For the first time, I was forced to depend on God for food to eat, opportunities to work, and money to pay the bills. It was challenging to be in need, and time and time again, I had to wait to see how God would come through for me. Even though it wasn’t easy, I grew like crazy during that season.
I remember one day after I had just paid all my bills. My checking account balance was 17 cents. I had no savings, no piggy bank I could break open. I had only those measly 17 cents to my name – total – with about a week left before I would see my next paycheck. So many thoughts flooded my mind that day:
What am I going to do about food? Will the gas in my car be enough to get me to work this week? What will I do if I have an emergency?
All I could do was pray, “God, help!”
That night I went to church for a meeting, my mind full of worries and prayers. At the end of the meeting, a man from our church board came up to me and slipped a $50 bill into my hand. He said the Lord had put it on his heart to give that money to me, and he walked off before I could even tell him just how significant his gift was. Relief swept over me. But the relief really wasn’t about the cash; it was about the fact that God came through for me, that He truly does care.
I went home soaking in this realization. Then when I crawled into bed and opened my Bible, I found a $100 bill between two pages. I couldn’t believe it! I held up that bill like it was a million bucks. Joy came over me. But the joy wasn’t really about the money; it was about the fact that God not only provided for me, but He also lavished His blessings on me. I knew $50 would have been enough to get me through the week, but the $100 bill was more than enough. To me, it was abundance.
Truly, I have seen the miraculous provisions of God. I have seen Him provide abundantly for me and for the people around me. And if you’ve walked with God long enough, I’m sure you have experienced that provision firsthand as well.
Be reminded today that He is your provider, and He will supply all your needs.
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.”
– Matthew 6:31-32
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
– Philippians 4:19, NIV
Rachel Fou
Western Field Director
Inspirational