Did you ever get what you wanted even before you asked for it? Have you ever been sitting in Church and the Pastor spoke about your life, but you had never told him what you were going through? Who would know what you are going through today when no one else does? Do you think that it's God?
Let's look—In His Word!
Blessed be the Lord
for He has heard the voice of my supplications! Psalm 28:6 (nkjv)
Julie
awoke to the new day. The sun was shining, and it would be a beautiful day
outside, but inside her heart Julie saw only clouds. She knew that today would
be another drudgery. She would go job searching, then to the food bank. Neither
of which would be productive but at least she could say she made an effort to
feed her three young children. Reaching
for the drab but clean cotton linen dress with tiny little marigolds dancing
over a pale-yellow background she thought to herself, “I sure wish I had a
better outfit to apply for this office job in. I will be lucky if they don’t
send me out thinking I am just looking for a place to warm up with this old
rag.” Tears brimming as she tucked her golden-brown hair up in a loose bun and
added a touch of makeup from the few dabs she had left, Julie left the house
newspaper in hand and notebook and folder holding her resume under her arm.
At least the children were at her mothers, they would be
cared for all this week while she attempted again to get a job that would help
her pay the rent. There had to be a way to make ends meet. If only she had a
little help.
Glancing upwards she thought of the Bible verse she had
heard spoken as a child.
But He knows the way
that I take… Job 23:10a (nkjv)
“If He knows the way I take, I sure hope it’s a good one.”
She spoke aloud as if towards God but not really too Him. She did not want to
bother God, the Almighty with her petty problems, He had much bigger things to
deal with, she was sure. Much bigger than taking care of a single mother with
three children who was desperately in need of a job to pay the bills before she
lost the small home her husband had left her with.
Glancing around as she rode the city bus to her first interview,
she saw a man with s sign. “Out of Work” It read, as he was begging for food or
money. If all he did was beg he would be out of work for a long time. She
thought to herself. She was going to be different; she knew somehow. She did
not want to reduce herself to begging. There had to be someway…
"Therefore. do
not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you
ask Him. Matthew
6:8-9 (nkjv)
The day went on slowly as she went from one interview to the
next, trying to ignore the glances from employees and other interviewees, she
smiled. God knew her needs; He would take care of her. She closed her eyes and tried not to think of
those people, she would focus on things she knew would make her calm and
peaceful.
If only she knew had a friend to turn to now. But there was
no one. She did not know what to do if she could not get a job today. Still
Julie continued on her trek and then headed home for the day.
There had been a couple of good possibilities. She would hear from them in the
morning if she got two of the jobs. That was encouraging at least.
Strolling home from the bus stop she could hear her stomach
growling. The apple she had eaten for lunch did nothing to curb the hunger that
had been there since morning. Still, once she got home all she could do was fix
a nice cup of black coffee and relish the fact that she had that. The
appointments had been longer than she expected, and the foodbank was closed
when she had reached its doors.
“I don’t know what I will do,” she said to herself, and
glanced up towards the sky again. “Lord thank you for the coffee I left in the
pot this morning, at least it will subside my hunger.” She rounded the corner
to her home and thought she would cry. There on her doorstep were not just one,
but three or four bags of groceries!
Moving them out of the way Julie turned the screen knob and
reached for her keys. Looking up to insert the door key she was brought to
tears and to her knees. There on her door hanging from the knocker was a note.
“Just thought you
could use this, and to know that I am praying for you. Love from, your Secret
Friend.”
Through the tears she removed the note and took three
hangers from the handle. On the hangers hung not just one, but three business
type dresses and suits.
“How?” She wondered aloud. “How did she know? I did not even
ask God for the one dress, and yet, He has provided three for me.” Julie turned
the key in the lock and entered her home, making three trips to bring
everything in. Just as she was about to close the screen, she noticed two pair
of shoes also sitting on the porch.
“Thank you, God.” She smiled up at Him with a heart full of
joy. Soon she would find that everything she needed to fill her cupboard to
last her until her first paycheck would be in the bags, she was carrying in.
God had provided everything she needed.
And if anyone thinks
that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone
loves God, this one is known by Him.
1 Corinthians 8:2-3 (nkjv)
Sometimes we think that we know what is best for us. Like
Julie, we tend to do with out rather than bother someone, even if it is God,
with our needs. Everyone has someone who is an ever-present help, and always
eager to listen to our hearts cry. Jesus is waiting to listen to you today.
Have you really opened up to Him lately? Sure, He knows your heart, but He is
waiting to hear you admit that you need help.
"The
Lord knows those who are His," 2
Tim 2:19 (nkjv)
Maybe you are a silent server, someone who does not speak
out for Christ, but He knows your heart. Take time today to listen to His
leading, maybe someone out there in your world, where you work or play, needs
an extra blessing today? If not you, then who? You may be the only connection
to God this person will ever have, and it may be time for you to speak up, or
to spread His love by lending an ear to someone’s hearts cries.
This
week I want us to listen to His voice,
to take time to know if someone out there needs us to help them in
someway. Maybe it will be a simple note
to say, “I am praying for you”. Or maybe it will be a load of groceries slipped
on a doorstep. There are so many around us in need, but they are specific needs
for each person. Lets pay attention to those around us and see if even in our
own need that we can find someone whom we can bless.
I have
been hearing so many wonderful, good deeds lately, and perhaps that is why I
was thinking on God’s goodness this morning. Even when we do not hear the good things we need to remember that God is still in control. He chose you to talk to that person who needed encouragement today and to pray for that other person yesterday. Maybe you are in need, but if you are not then look around to fill someone elses need even if its just with a smile and a kind word today. In Jesus' Name.
"I tell you,
my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do
no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the
killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear
him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is
forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't
be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:4-9(niv)
Suggested Readings for
this week.
Monday: 1 Timothy
1:1-17
Tuesday: Psalm 62
Wednesday: John
12:27-50
Thursday: Galatians
5:16-6:10
Friday: Hebrews 4:1-13
Weekend readings: Psalms 127-131 (all of each
one they are really short).
***If for any reason you choose ever not to receive this
devotion again please remember that all it takes is replying with a
"Please remove me from this list." I do ask that if there is a
problem with anything I write for you to feel free to write me back and let me
know what the problem was, that we might go over it together and seek the truth
in love.
In His love,
Teresa M. Wilson
8 "I tell you,
whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him
before the angels of God.
(from New
International Version)