£300 Plus

Recently I was encouraged as I read Joseph Stowell's account of a moving story from the 1800's in his excellent devotional book, Strength for the Journey.

He related how the Prince of Preachers, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, had been preaching a series of meetings in Bristol, England hoping to raise money for his orphanage back in London.

The week was drawing to a close and Spurgeon had already reached his goal of £300.  He was thrilled with the response but couldn't sleep that night.  God prompted him to give the money to George Muller to help with his orphanages right there in Bristol.  "But Lord?"  No, Spurgeon felt he must go to see Muller.

Arriving at Muller's home he found George on his knees in prayer.  Spurgeon handed over the £300 and Muller acknowledged that he had been seeking God for that exact amount.  They embraced and marvelled at the provision of God.

Upon his return to London, Spurgeon found an envelope containing £300 plus 300 shillings.  God had provided what Spurgeon had passed on to Muller...with interest.

As another great servant of God once said, "I shovel out and God keeps shoveling back but God has a bigger shovel."

Why do we doubt God's promises to provide?  He is Jehovah-Jireh...our Provider.

The Lord Provides

For weeks my office (in our home) has been in disarray.  Pictures sitting against the wall waiting to be hung.  Files unorganized.  Books stuck on the shelves in no particular order.  It was hard to get anything done.

Today I looked at one of the texts that was sitting on the floor, leaning up against the wall.  It reads simply..."The Lord Provides".  Does He?  Will He?  Is a miracle just around the corner?

This present (and long-lasting) bout with depression has been a catastrophe in more ways than I care to think about.  Now, at age 65, I'm out of work and wondering..."will the Lord provide"?  I know He does.  I know He has.  But will He again?

Sometimes we overlook the "small" ways that He meets our needs.  We are looking for the BIG miracles when smaller ones are all around us.

In the past week there have been two HUGE examples of how a sovereign God looks after His own.

We needed a van.  We had looked "everywhere".  Well, not quite, but we had searched for four weeks but to no avail.  On Monday we finally found one...right here in Peterborough.  The price was much too high.  Carol told the salesman what our circumstances were and what we could spend.  The van was listed at $10,995.  We could only spend about $9,000. taxes included.  So what did God do?  He gave us the van for that price.  The salesman dropped the price by over $3,000.

When I left my job I lost all our medical benefits.  Both boys have braces on their teeth.  How would we pay for the balance owing?  Incredibly the plan at my work had covered orthodontics.  Very generous!  Carol spoke with the staff at the orthodontist's office about our dilemma.  The doctor was consulted.  His response?  'Don't worry about it.  It's been looked after."  The amount owing?  About $4,500.  Does God still supply our needs?  Without question.

So why do I worry?  Why do I fret?  The Lord has never failed us yet.

But please pray for a job for me.  I need meaningful employment.  I can't sit around scribbling like a pilgrim all day long.

THANK YOU!

Lunch Money

A friend of mine shared the following story several years ago.  God provided in Old Testament times and He still does today:

I was meeting with one of my staff today. She has faced a great deal of adversity this year in life and yet still hung on to the vision that God had birthed in her heart - one that we are really beginning to see the great fruit of.

After our meeting and time of encouragement, she went about her work - needing to connect with one of the mothers of some of the kids involved in her program. While on the phone she said “why don’t we go out for lunch to talk more about this . . .” After she got off the phone she muttered (in a ‘frustrated with herself tone’), “Why did I offer to take her for lunch, I don’t have the money for that!”

I happened to over hear her comment and spoke up. “It was a faith decision, God will provide.” She said “well maybe, but it felt like a stupid decision”.

About 10 minutes one of our supporters walked in the door. She was coming in to make a donation and just before she left she said, “I have one more gift to leave, while I was walking in here I felt the Lord telling me that YFC needed another $20 for something and that I was to give it. So, I don’t know what the need is, but here you go.”

Hearing this, I immediately went and got the staff member and connected the two women and watched God show himself through his voice heard by one and his answer given to another.

Ravenous But Satisfied

Those who entered Elijah's tent would have seen this picture dangling from the center pole.

It was a reminder of God's faithful provision by the brook Kerith and again, in the home of the widow and her son in Zeraphath.

What reminders do you have of God's marvellous intervention? How has Jehovah Jireh provided for you when it seemed that help could not be found? Some of my reminders are hymns or poems that our sovereign God gave me in times of desperate need.

This poem (which was given to me in two stages) continues to bring encouragement when I recall how God intersected with my life:

Our Great High Priest above,

In righteousness arrayed;

Presents our every need to God

Before we've even prayed!

Jehovah is His name,

Our needs He will provide;

His Word declares it to be true

And He has never lied.

Trust Him today in the midst of your seemingly impossible situation. "God will make a way when there seems to be NO way."

When the Brook Dries Up

Recently I came across a segment of a message preached on Elijah's season of life by the brook Kerith.  

Take time to check this out.  

You will be encouraged!   

Here is the link.

God's Provision

The wicked king Ahab
Makes others' sins pale
He's forsaken My ways 
And now worships Baal.

Get over to Kerith
And there by the creek
I'll send you your groceries
Each day, not each week.

Don't question the method
I use to send bread
These scavenger ravens
Will do what I've said.

The drought you have forecast
Will dry up the land
There'll be no more water
Except by My hand.

Just wait here and trust Me
Be patient and true
In the fullness of time
You'll know what to do.

A Zarephath widow
And her only son
Will offer you lodging
But wait, I'm not done.

In the midst of the drought
There'll be flour and oil
Enough for each day
And it never will spoil.

And there you will see
My great power and might
So trust me today
Don't give up the fight.

Now just like Elijah
The prophet of old
My people can trust me
With faith strong and bold.

I'm Jehovah-Jireh
Your needs I'll provide
I'm sovereign and faithful
I'll walk by your side.

So lay aside doubting
Your burdens I'll bear
The Lord God Almighty
Has you in His care.

© David W. Fisher
February 7th, 2008

Ravens Fed? Why That Name?

Elijah the prophet's daily food rations were delivered by ravens as he camped out by the brook Kerith.  God provided in miraculous ways.  

He still does.  

On this blog I will recount many of the ways that God has met my needs over the past 65 years.