Thankful for Provision — Week 2
By:  Lori Lewis, State Girls Clubs Coordinator, South Carolina

Scripture:  “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat?  Or, What shall we drink?  Or Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:31-33).

Early on in our ministry, I discovered first-hand how God meets your needs.  It was in our second pastorate where things were difficult financially and it wasn’t a “walk in the park” spiritually speaking either.  The church building was over 100 years old and had a lot of issues that needed attention and money.  We had also inherited an enormous debt that drained us every month.  Bills had to be paid first and we were last.  Many times, there wasn’t enough for us.  I was expecting our first child and not extremely happy about our situation.

Members would call for pastor needing a ride somewhere or needing gas money or grocery money.  I thought, “We need gas money!”  “We need groceries, too!”  I didn’t say this out loud to anyone (except my husband) but I was thinking it.  I was very concerned so I cried and prayed to myself.  I had always heard the testimonies of saints of old who had been in dire circumstances and didn’t know where the next meal was coming from and how God provided, but I had not been in that situation until now. 

The answer came—a church member dropped off several bags of groceries and said she felt impressed to do so.  Another member who owned her own business gave my husband a check after church and said the Lord spoke to her and told her the amount to give.  The check was the exact amount we would’ve been paid!  She did not know our situation.  At that time, the meaning of Jehovah Jireh became very real and personal to me.

He does know what we have need of and when we need it most. He will not leave us nor forsake us.  I can testify as those before me of God’s goodness and faithfulness!

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