Don’t Miss Out

Bible Reading

• 2 Chronicles 16
• John 4

Devotional Thoughts

I have to be honest, I have been struggling with trusting God for finances. I still believe the truth in 2 Corinthians 9:8-11 where Paul said, “God will generously provide all you need… God provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide a great harvest of generosity in you. You will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous.” I feel that I am generous in my giving… but also generous in giving of my time, my resources, my energy… everything I have. I believe the truth that I can’t out give God. So, why am I anxious about money? It might have to do with the fact that we continue to dip into our savings to pay our monthly expenses. God has provided a good buffer in savings, so why am I anxious? I guess it shows my lack of faith, and to some degree don’t believe God is providing for our daily needs.

Jesus is so clear in Matthew 6:25-34 that we have nothing to worry about. In fact, his comments are pretty sobering, “Which of you can add a single hour to his life by being anxious? …the Gentiles seek after (worry) about those things, but your heavenly Father knows that you need them. Seek first His kingdom!”

And still I worry! Father, help my unbelief! In John 4 we read the story of Jesus and the immoral Samaritan woman. It’s interesting what the disciples were focused on when they found him. They were all worried that he may be hungry because he hadn’t eaten. He says, “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.” Jesus wasn’t worried about the things of this world. He lived without worry, completely focused on the task God gave him to do!

In the old testament there’s an interesting story about King Asa. King Asa had times when he depended on the Lord. But, he did not finish well. And one of the last things recorded about his life is found in 2 Chron 16:7 “Hanani the seer came to King Asa and told him, “Because you have put your trust in the king of Aram instead of in the Lord your God, you missed your chance to destroy the army of the king of Aram.” Wow! Because he did not rely on God, and chose to trust in men, he missed the opportunity to be used of God to do something great!

In contrast, because Jesus was focused on being God’s instrument, he saw a tremendous harvest among the Samaritans! (John 4:39-41) How many times have I missed out on seeing God do something great because I was relying on myself or people instead of God?

Hanani the Seer went on to say to Asa, (2 Chron 16:8-9) “Remember the Ethiopians and the Libyans… you relied on the Lord and he handed them over to you. The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What a fool you have been! From now on you will be at war.”

As God searches the earth for those whose hearts are fully committed to him, will I be one of them? I feel like I am a lot like the Father in Mark 9:14-29. He came to Jesus after Jesus’ disciples were not able to heal him, and asked, “Have mercy on us and help us, If you can.” (NLT) Jesus said to him, “What do you mean, ‘If I can?’ Anything is possible for him who believes!”

Declarations:

• Anything is possible for him who believes. I believe God will provide for the ministry and the work He has asked me to do!
• God promises to generously provide so that I can be generous to others… with my money, with my time, with my energy!
• Instead of worrying about the things the world worries about and are controlled by, I need to seek God’s kingdom, and focus on the ministry He has given me.