God is so good

I must confess that I tend to be a worrier. I try to put a good face on it and act like I'm not worried, but deep down inside my heart there are times when the numbers just don't add up, when there seems to be more month than money, that I begin to doubt God's provision. But I believe God laughs at me when I get into these periods of doubt. He is unfailingly faithful. I have never gone without a need (and most of my wants).

What prompted such a confession this morning? I'm so glad you asked. These gas prices have not been kind to my budget. We have had to tighten up our spending in order to pay for transportation. I am not complaining, please don't think that. I am just stating a fact. One of the changes I had to make was to switch to the more economical vehicle. I had to park my truck. I like my truck, but I can't afford to drive the thing. The problem was that the brakes on the other vehicle were shot and needed to be redone.

It is not like this is the first brake job I have had to have done to one of my vehicles. I had a pretty good ball park number that this repair was going to cost. I also knew that I didn't have quite enough to pay for the repair if my number was correct. Well, due to some very generous people, I had enough to get close to paying for the brakes, but I still thought I was going to be short. And, like every other car repair, things didn't go perfect for the mechanic and there were some parts that needed to be replaced. In my mind the price just went up more. Can you feel my sense of worry? Yes, I was sweating when they called me to come get the vehicle.

I walked in and tried to put on a brave face. I was pretty sure I was going to have to ask to spread the payments out over time. Then I got the bill. Here is where I shouted, "PRAISE GOD!" The amount was $100 less than I had anticipated and I had the full amount to pay. I have looked at the bill and the parts were cheaper than I had thought and the labor was very reasonable. But I believe God moved to work out my need. He knew my financial situation better than I and He made sure the vehicle was repaired within what I could afford. God is so good!

I suppose I shouldn't be so surprised. I shouldn't be so joyous about this provision. But all I know is that I had a need and God provided. If you doubt the truth of that statement, then you doubt that God is able. He is able and willing to help His children. We are to but trust Him and obey Him. He will provide for our needs (and many of our wants). This is not to say that I will get a million dollar mansion or a new luxury sedan, those aren't needs. I got a 10-year-old minivan fixed for an amount that I could afford. That is the nature of needs versus wants. I need transportation and God provided. Bless His name! Of course, Jesus told us it would be this way in the Sermon on the Mount.

"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, `What will we eat?' or `What will we drink?' or `What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
--Matthew 6:25-34

Are you trusting Him with your needs today? Give it a try and see how it changes your outlook.