Nov
5
Our God is amazing.
This has been a trying month. Actually, I could say that about every month I guess. We struggle with God… asking for provision, trusting Him to do what no one else can do, doubting, crying… He doesn’t have to provide. People occasionally have to leave DTS because they waited on God and He didn’t provide. At least not in the way they expected. It seems like every month here will be our last.
I decided to read a biography on George Muller to be encouraged, and to read about God’s miraculous provision for this man. If you aren’t familiar with his story, you should definitely give it a read. It was very encouraging, and as a finished the book, I went into the kitchen to start supper. I watched Sten sitting on the couch, his internal struggle with God written all over his face. He was on the computer, trying to list everything we could possibly sell to make rent. I said “God will do something, Honey. He will. Don’t worry.”
As I started supper, I realized that I was out of soy sauce for my recipe. I started thinking about the Muller book, and thought, “I should pray for soy sauce. I bet there’s some by our door right now.” I decided to go look out the door, and I noticed a white envelope lying on the floor by the door. My heart jumped as I picked it up and looked inside. I pulled out a paper that said:
God has provided this gift for you. Praise God!
God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
-Philippians 4:19
Inside, was $730 in cash… the exact amount of our rent. I just started crying, and called Sten over to see. We just sat there for a long time, in awe and wonder.
About 15 minutes later, there was a knock on the door, and a friend’s husband stood there with a large box of beautiful clothes to give the girls.
Later that night, I went to a meeting at school and a friend handed me two bottles of soy sauce. I didn’t know what to say. I still don’t.
We still owe all of our bills… our electricity is set to be shut off on the 12th… but we are not afraid. God will supply our needs. There is such comfort in knowing that He knows every bill, every due date, and He will provide.
You’d think it would be easy after a while… maybe we’d get comfortable in knowing our needs will be met this month, and the next… it doesn’t. I’m trying to figure out some theology in all of this. Something I can claim. Something I can know for sure, and use to encourage others. I’m not sure there is… we’ll see… until then:
“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
-Daniel 3:17-18
Even if He doesn’t, we want to make it clear that we will continue to follow Him. We can do nothing else.
November 6th, 2008 at 12:10 am
Preach it, sister. I am perpetually amazed by God’s provision, and my shaky faith.
November 6th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Ok, seriously…SOY SAUCE!?! Your testimony of God’s faithfulness never fails to amaze me. I’ve been struggling lately – and just hearing how God provides for the smallest things is HUGELY encouraging to me. It’s true. He is all that matters. He’s being glorified in all of this…especially through your faith.
November 6th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
I was all ready to get serious when I looked back at your pic at the top and realized I was looking right up a camel’s nose….in the woods. Totally distracted me……
November 6th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
These days, though tough, will be looked back on as some of the best of your lives. You are getting to know HIM in ways you never would have experienced unless you took these steps of faith. I like the words to the song…”He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me. He will be my Guide, and hold me close to his side….” I know what you are experiencing as we have been there SO many times in our missionary journey…every bit of it is worth it for HE is worth it. You are in my prayers.
November 10th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Hey there friend! Thanks for sharing your story of God’s faithfulness. He is Amazing and I have been praising Him for His work in your life! I LOVE the soy Sauce…that is just so cool…and so like the Lord. Love you!
December 12th, 2008 at 7:44 am
I have been self employed most of my life with bad time habits, this has lead to many a late bill. Yet God is faithful and has not left us without.
This is a really cool story about the soy sauce, He really cares about the little things too.
March 30th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
[…] set that money aside to go towards our rent payment. I am confident that God will continue to provide, and I look forward to sharing with you how He does it in the coming […]
May 20th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Preach it, sister. I am perpetually amazed by God’s provision, and my shaky faith.