Gotta Have Faith

"The Lord is good - indeed, he is a fortress in time of distress, and he protects those who seek refuge in him."  Nahum 1:7

Oh Friends, the Lord is good!  He is Jehovah Jireh - Hebrew for "The Lord Will Provide," or more literally, "The Lord Who Will See to It."

Today at bible study, my name was drawn out of a hat for two tickets to an upcoming women's event at our church.  Some might call it luck...I call it faith!  You see, this is an event I longed to experience but, because we closely watch our finances, had yet to decide if I would actually attend.  When the bible study leader announced they were giving two tickets away, I felt that those tickets just might be awarded to me.  Let me share with you the conversation in my head that occurred in a time-span of about 12 seconds...

"They're giving away two tickets?  Oh, I so want to go!  My name could be called.  No, my name won't be called.  Look at all these other women in the room.  Well, why couldn't my name be called?  I am the same as any other women in this room.  God could choose to bless me just as well as He could choose to bless any other woman in this room.  I need to believe in Him.  Okay, I believe my name is going to be called" (ohh, I should sell tickets for the chance to spend a day inside my crazy head...just kidding).

I felt God speaking to my heart.  No, I am not claiming that God speaks to me audibly; rather He speaks to my heart, just as He speaks to every heart that will listen.  I felt God saying that He would rise me up if I would just believe in Him; have faith that He would do what He said He was going to do (Luke 1:45).

A few weeks back, I had a similar experience with the Holy One.  I needed to write a check for my bible studies, but didn't quite have the finances to cover it at the time.  No worries; I knew that my hubby would be paid at the end of the month and I could probably speak with the church about paying a week or so late.  However, we had a few days until I needed to write the check, so I told my husband, "Let's see what God brings to us this week."  Since deciding to stay at home 4 years ago, we've had to cut back on spending, but it seems that a rebate check or some type of reimbursement always seems to come at just the right time.  And wouldn't you know...a $24 check came in from insurance a few days later.  Oh, I had chills.  But $24 wasn't quite enough to cover all the studies.  So, we waited...  Are you ready for this?  These are the things that are so good, I just can't keep to myself...  Would you know that a second check arrived later in the week that more than covered the rest of our expenses?  A rebate check from one of our local service providers.  Money that was due to us anyway, but that God chose to send to us at just the right time...so that we could see Him at work.  He provided just what we needed when we needed it.

Now please realize, we consider our finances of utmost responsibility.  Everything we have is from Him and He calls us to be good stewards of all He's given.  I do not condone overspending and waiting to see what God provides.  However, I do believe that He will provide exactly what He wants you to have when He wants you to have it.  James 4:2-3 reads, "You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."  I believe He will provide so that we can do the things He wants us to do.

It was the same with my grief. God was there the whole time but He couldn't help me until I asked Him to; until I placed my faith in Him; until I believed not only that He could help me, but that He would. Faith is the key that unlocks the door to God's biggest blessings on your life. God will see to it that all of your needs are met. He is Jehovah Jireh.  Whether it be financial, physical, or emotional needs, you just gotta have faith!