Manna and Motor Cars
"Let us tell to coming generations the glorious deeds of our God" (Psalm 78:4).
How God provides!
Morning by morning new mercies we see.
If you want further evidence of this be sure to read Peter and Brooke's testimonies responding to yesterday's post. Then read on here.
One Friday afternoon in the spring of 2000 Gayline and I spent a few minutes discussing our car situation. Once again we are not the type who sit around often talking about such things (it had been years since our last such conversation), but this moment seemed to demand it. You see, we had a Chrysler "K" car, which, as my old readers will remember, was not a particularly stylish make. Besides, our "K" was arKaic (sorry). It was old and it seemed diseased; at least it looked leprous. And of course most of all it was a mechanical mess; we weren't sure how long the old leprous thing would keep running.
So the talk revolved around whether to try to get another car. But how? We could pay cash for one, except that we didn't have the cash. We could pursue a second income, but in doing so we would have to neglect both family and church needs. We could borrow money for one but we really wouldn't have the money to pay it back. We could charge it on a credit card, but we just didn't think it wise to do life that way. We could beg for one, but I wasn't sure how that would reflect on the reputation of my Father above. We could steal one, but I wasn't sure how the morning headline "Local Pastor Caught Hot-wiring BMW" might affect church attendance and community good will. So we decided to pray and wait on the Lord.
We didn't have to wait long. Forty five minutes later the phone rang and on the other end of the line a friend asked if I was home. Since he had called me at home, it made no sense to deny it. He then asked if he could swing by to show me something, to which I of course said yes. Ten minutes later he pulled into the driveway in a car I did not recognize which turned out to be a one year old like new vehicle of which he had taken possession through a business deal.
Getting out he asked me if I thought our family could use a car like this. Unsure of what he was getting at, and inwardly wrestling with how to tell him that no matter how good of a car or deal it might be, we probably would not be able to afford it, I hesitated. "Yes, I'm sure we could," I replied tentatively . He said "Good!" and reaching into his pocket he pulled out the key, placed it in my hand, and said, "It's yours!"
A gift. Free. No costs. No payments.
It turned out that there was another option besides the paying cash, getting-a-second-income-and-neglecting-family-and-church-in-the-process, borrowing, charging it on a credit card, begging from others, or stealing alternatives I'd thought of: God could just give us a car. In fact, God could foresee months in advance the need for a car that we would have that Friday afternoon and long before that day set in motion a business deal for my friend that would end up including a car thrown in, a deal that would end up being closed on this particular Friday so that he would come into possession of the car the very day we were forced to talk about our need for a new one so that he would actually be driving our new car to our house while we were talking about our need for it, so that it could be delivered within 45 minutes of when we discussed that need so that we would have one more opportunity to experience God's jaw-dropping love in action.
"God knows even before we ask," Jesus said (Matthew 6:8). So why ever panic (Matthew 6:25-34)? And why not pray, and then wait and see what God does?
Two questions:
Does God always act so quickly? No, God's children often have to wait what feels painfully long as their Father makes sure not only to provide for their needs but also, in the process, to build their character. Sometimes to teach us patience, God drizzles His blessing over a long period. Other times to teach us awe, He sends a quick downpour! Be thankful for both.
Does God advocate passivity when it comes to our needs? No; if a man will not work neither shall he eat, He inspires His apostle to tell us (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12).
But here's the truth: if you are a Christian who works as hard as you can at a God-honoring job which He has provided, working with strength that you know comes from Him and which you daily and prayerfully depend on Him to give; and if you work hard without sacrificing time with God or commitment to the other priorities of life (like church and family), making sure never to neglect the kingdom and righteousness of God for the sake of work or physical concerns (Matthew 6:33), and if you still have needs that go beyond what your income can meet, then it's time to pray and wait on God to do His wondrous deeds.
Don't start by thinking about how you can work harder or borrow more or swing a better deal.
Start by asking your heavenly Father, and waiting on the good hand of the One Who provides.
Then, when He does provide, whether it be by drizzle or downpour, be sure to be amazed and grateful and in awe of Him.
And finally be sure to tell this and the coming generations of the wonders done by your God.
How God provides!
Morning by morning new mercies we see.
If you want further evidence of this be sure to read Peter and Brooke's testimonies responding to yesterday's post. Then read on here.
One Friday afternoon in the spring of 2000 Gayline and I spent a few minutes discussing our car situation. Once again we are not the type who sit around often talking about such things (it had been years since our last such conversation), but this moment seemed to demand it. You see, we had a Chrysler "K" car, which, as my old readers will remember, was not a particularly stylish make. Besides, our "K" was arKaic (sorry). It was old and it seemed diseased; at least it looked leprous. And of course most of all it was a mechanical mess; we weren't sure how long the old leprous thing would keep running.
So the talk revolved around whether to try to get another car. But how? We could pay cash for one, except that we didn't have the cash. We could pursue a second income, but in doing so we would have to neglect both family and church needs. We could borrow money for one but we really wouldn't have the money to pay it back. We could charge it on a credit card, but we just didn't think it wise to do life that way. We could beg for one, but I wasn't sure how that would reflect on the reputation of my Father above. We could steal one, but I wasn't sure how the morning headline "Local Pastor Caught Hot-wiring BMW" might affect church attendance and community good will. So we decided to pray and wait on the Lord.
We didn't have to wait long. Forty five minutes later the phone rang and on the other end of the line a friend asked if I was home. Since he had called me at home, it made no sense to deny it. He then asked if he could swing by to show me something, to which I of course said yes. Ten minutes later he pulled into the driveway in a car I did not recognize which turned out to be a one year old like new vehicle of which he had taken possession through a business deal.
Getting out he asked me if I thought our family could use a car like this. Unsure of what he was getting at, and inwardly wrestling with how to tell him that no matter how good of a car or deal it might be, we probably would not be able to afford it, I hesitated. "Yes, I'm sure we could," I replied tentatively . He said "Good!" and reaching into his pocket he pulled out the key, placed it in my hand, and said, "It's yours!"
A gift. Free. No costs. No payments.
It turned out that there was another option besides the paying cash, getting-a-second-income-and-neglecting-family-and-church-in-the-process, borrowing, charging it on a credit card, begging from others, or stealing alternatives I'd thought of: God could just give us a car. In fact, God could foresee months in advance the need for a car that we would have that Friday afternoon and long before that day set in motion a business deal for my friend that would end up including a car thrown in, a deal that would end up being closed on this particular Friday so that he would come into possession of the car the very day we were forced to talk about our need for a new one so that he would actually be driving our new car to our house while we were talking about our need for it, so that it could be delivered within 45 minutes of when we discussed that need so that we would have one more opportunity to experience God's jaw-dropping love in action.
"God knows even before we ask," Jesus said (Matthew 6:8). So why ever panic (Matthew 6:25-34)? And why not pray, and then wait and see what God does?
Two questions:
Does God always act so quickly? No, God's children often have to wait what feels painfully long as their Father makes sure not only to provide for their needs but also, in the process, to build their character. Sometimes to teach us patience, God drizzles His blessing over a long period. Other times to teach us awe, He sends a quick downpour! Be thankful for both.
Does God advocate passivity when it comes to our needs? No; if a man will not work neither shall he eat, He inspires His apostle to tell us (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12).
But here's the truth: if you are a Christian who works as hard as you can at a God-honoring job which He has provided, working with strength that you know comes from Him and which you daily and prayerfully depend on Him to give; and if you work hard without sacrificing time with God or commitment to the other priorities of life (like church and family), making sure never to neglect the kingdom and righteousness of God for the sake of work or physical concerns (Matthew 6:33), and if you still have needs that go beyond what your income can meet, then it's time to pray and wait on God to do His wondrous deeds.
Don't start by thinking about how you can work harder or borrow more or swing a better deal.
Start by asking your heavenly Father, and waiting on the good hand of the One Who provides.
Then, when He does provide, whether it be by drizzle or downpour, be sure to be amazed and grateful and in awe of Him.
And finally be sure to tell this and the coming generations of the wonders done by your God.
Labels: Blessing, Faith, God's Blessing, Prayer
posted by Tim Shorey at
8:14 AM
5 Comments:
Brooke, Peter, Steve: thanks for the comments and stories yesterday. Keep them coming friends!
Many years ago we were at the beach with the children. Our Mary was about 3 years old. My wife had given me the responsibility of keeping a close eye on her because the surf was extremely rough at the shoreline, the waves were at high tide, and Mary did not have a normal sense of danger.
Theresa was engaged in conversation 50 feet up from where we were. Since men do not multi-task as well as women (that's what they tell us), I became engrossed in the building of a sand wall with the other little ones.
Suddenly I heard two words "PETER,MARY!" Theresa's head had turned from her conversation just in time to see a huge wave approaching Mary who was standing close enough to have been engulfed and dragged under by that wave in less than 2 seconds!
I was able to grab her just as the wave crashed over both of us. I don't know how quickly I would have been able to locate her had the wave grabbed her only. The water was deep and very rough.
So... Who turned my wife's head in that direction 2 seconds before the crash of that wave? And who gave her the ability to express a critical thought in only 2 words ("Peter, MARY!"). That's a separate miracle right there! (No offense darling, if you're reading this!)
A similar incident with our Matthew, 3 years old, about to cross the street in the path of a speeding car-- critical timing there again, as the Lord allowed me to come to the front door just in time to shout to Matt, "STOP!"
And, there are more! Friends, God is REAL, and his timing is to the hundredth of a second!
So much for Deism!
Yes indeed: God is and God is near.
When I start to think about all the times when timing was everything in keeping me--or those I love from harm--they simply cannot be recounted!
Perils seemingly are everywhere; but God is everywhere first. He gets there before the peril does to keep us from harm. And then He lets us know just in time.
"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations" (Deut. 7:9.
Reading all of these posts regarding God's provision has sparked my memory in more ways than we have space to list here. However, one in particular stands out in my mind. Some of you know that Scott taught at a Christian school for many years before taking a position here in NJ. Christian schools are not especially known for their wonderful salaries. (I am not complaining just stating a fact.) At one point, we had hit a spot that was particularly tough financially and I can remember going to God in prayer and telling Him that I would look forward to how he would provide for us. A few days later, a recent college grad came to me with an envlope. She told me that she wanted us to use the contents to help cover some of our medical bills for the girls. She went on to tell me that this money was money given to her for her recent graduation. If my memory is correct -- she gave most of it to us. Talk about awestruck! God provided for us with the sacrifice of her graduation money.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home