I got a letter in the mail the other day regarding a bill I can’t pay. Just another item on the list of things that have threatened to drown me lately. The letter listed a deadline I can’t possibly meet – 3 days from now. The money just isn’t there, but if I don’t pay the bill, the cost will be even higher.
My inner monologue since opening the letter has run along the lines of wondering why God hasn’t answered my prayers for provision. And then reminding myself that He has provided. Over and over again. In two years of unemployment and underemployment, I have, through one way or another, had all of my needs met.
And then I’ve gone back to wondering what I’ve done to offend God lately so that what I have is less than what I want and what I think I need. But then a song comes on the radio and I’m reminded that He is faithful and He is sovereign and He always provides for His children.
And I’ve asked Him why He’s worked miracles for other people like providing exactly what they’ve needed exactly when they’ve needed it. Then I remember the many, many times He’s done that for me these past two years.
All of my arguments are destroyed by His faithfulness. All of my needs are met by His goodness. All of my tears are dried by His grace. Why do I keep arguing and worrying and crying?
So how does this story end? Tonight I got a phone call. The deadline listed in the letter was wrong. I don’t have 3 days. I have 3 weeks. No, I didn’t get a check in the mail for the exact amount I needed. No one knocked on my door with a wad of cash they felt God telling them to give me. But in 3 weeks, I’m really pretty sure that bill will get paid because my God is my Provider.
“As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.” Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord gives rain on the land.'” She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah. (1 Kings 17:12-16)
When the oil and flour were almost gone, when the woman was ready to make one last meal, God stepped in. When the last seconds are on your clock, when the last dollar is in your wallet, when your strength and courage are moments away from being gone, God steps in. He always has. He always will. Of this, I am convinced.
To God be the glory. Great things He has done. Great things He has taught us. Great things He has done. Give Him the glory. Great things He has done.
P.S. This blog post from Nate Edmondson (reposted by his dad) rocked my world tonight and set me on the path that led to my post. Exactly what I needed, exactly when I needed it. 😉