And who wouldn't be? With so much unknown... so many what-ifs.
What if my wedding falls apart? What if we get to our honeymoon destination and there's a fiasco and we have nowhere to stay that night? What if David's Bridal doesn't have my dress ready in time? Will God provide for our finances? What if I lose my job? What if we get pregnant right away? What if we never can get pregnant? What if Eric dies and I'm left with little ones to care for?
Some of these things might happen. There's no way I can know. But what I do know... is the character of my God.
"Lord, I believe; only help my unbelief!"
So I think about His provision.
David was afraid. But he still faced the giant.
Mary and Joseph were scared. But they were obedient in the face of opposition.
Abraham was scared. But he took Sarah and journeyed to the unknown.
Esther could have been killed for approaching the king. But she took a step of faith.
Ruth was afraid to approach Boaz. But she was brave, did it anyway, and God provided.
Those Israelites were distrusting and whiny. But God still gave them the manna they needed.
I was wondering how God might provide. But I survived those 7 months of joblessness with a little extra money still in the bank.
I doubted that He'd ever bring me a husband. But He gave me Eric at just the right time to do His work in us.
And I have 7 months' worth of proof of provision recorded right here.
 |
| 7 months of daily graces, recorded. |
Silly me.
"When What Ifs come into our lives, we must ask ourselves if we're going to judge God by the circumstances we don't understand or judge the circumstances in light of the character of God."
-Linda Dillow, from her wonderful book Calm My Anxious Heart
The character of God. The same God who said:
"Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?" Matthew 6:26-27
"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all." Matthew 6:31-32
“Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” Mark 6:50
"Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous" Joshua 10:25
A favorite song of mine is called The Lord Will Provide. Would that God grant us to really believe these words.
Though troubles assail and dangers affright,
Though friends should all fail and foes all unite;
Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide,
The scripture assures us, the Lord will provide!
The birds without barn or storehouse are fed,
From them let us learn to trust for our bread:
His saints, what is fitting, shall ne'er be denied,
So long as it's written, the Lord will provide!
We may, like the ships, by tempest be tossed
On perilous deeps, but cannot be lost.
Though Satan enrages the wind and the tide,
The promise engages, the Lord will provide!
His call we obey, like Abram of old,
Not knowing our way, but faith makes us bold;
For though we are strangers, we have a good Guide,
And trust in all dangers, the Lord will provide!
When Satan appears to stop up our path,
And fill us with fears, we triumph by faith;
He cannot take from us, though oft he has tried,
This heart-cheering promise, the Lord will provide!
He tells us we're weak, our hope is in vain,
The good that we seek we ne'er shall obtain,
But when such suggestions our graces have plied,
This answers all questions, the Lord will provide!
No strength of our own, or goodness we claim,
Yet since we have known the Savior's great name;
In this our strong tower for safety we hide,
The Lord is our power, the Lord will provide!
When life sinks apace and death is in view,
This word of his grace shall comfort us through:
No fearing or doubting with Christ on our side,
We hope to die shouting the Lord will provide!
And so it stands. Rest, anxious heart.
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