Joy in the Lord
Habakkuk 3:17-19:
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
YET I WILL REJOICE in the LORD,
I WILL be JOYFUL in GOD my SAVIOR.”
I am praying that this declaration would be true for Sam and me. That even if we have “nothing”, we could still rejoice in the Lord!
From the time of WCC, Sam & I were convinced that I would
pursue my writing full-time and that he would pursue working full-time. Essentially, that means, we have walked in the direction of believing that God will provide for us financially even with a single income. It has been an
adventurous and mostly
difficult faith-journey for us both – especially because Sam doesn’t have a permanent position and nor is his current salary totally sufficient for us both.
Lately, as I’ve been praying, I’ve been realizing that God’s probably NOT going to make us monetarily rich while we are here. It’s more likely that He wants to provide us just enough so that we can live AND also be in the place where we will always (have to) depend and trust Him. (Prov 30:8-9 – “…give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”) Should we pout and sulk because He won’t make us rich and comfortable like everyone else, as if He begrudged us of something wonderful that we deserve? No! First of all, we don’t deserve. And secondly, it’s actually in the giving us of our daily bread and NOT MORE that God gives us the best — a training school for trusting Him and then finding that He DOES provide. We get to see tangibly the faithful character of God. Knowing God deeper in real experience is far better than any earthly comfort.
I’m reminded of two other verses. One of God’s stipulations for kings is, “Do not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.” because “his heart will be led astray.” (Deut 17:17) Also, Luke 6:20, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God”. And it’s not about “spiritual poverty” but real, physical poverty – because there are many dangers to being rich — including not seeing/acknowledging a need for God — and then therefore not seeking and then not receiving “the kingdom.”
Lord, I pray that we could truly believe this and live joyfully in that belief. Help us be wrapped up in the joy of you and feel the security of belonging to the King of kings. Thank you, Lord, that we can always trust you to give us the very best.
Comments (10)
Dear sister in Christ,
I am praying for you and your future husband, Sam. The Lord has brought me and my dear husband through a somewhat similar journey. May you continually trust in the Lord, He has His perfect purposes for you both.
It has been my personal experience that having less causes more trust and dependance upon God…..and every blessing He does give causes heartfelt thanksgivings and praises unto Him, for we deserve nothing. He gives to whom He gives; and He witholds for His good purposes, even from His children.
May you have a blessed week in the Lord, trusting in Him to provide for all things, as God has ordained in His infinite wisdom.
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” + 2 Peter 3:18 KJV
+ByGraceHisOwn
Amen! It just seems like more and more of us (our generation) are being led into this kind of place. It won’t be easy, but who would want to miss out on how He comes through?!!! PTL!
“God gives us the best — a training school for trusting Him and then finding that He DOES provide” — yes! God is good!
love you mary ann.
“he who has God & everything has no more than he who has God alone” – c.s. lewis
good reminders mary ann
There is something so dignified and romantic about being educated, talented, kind-hearted and broke – like you have access to the decaying, superficial treasures of this world but choose to reject them.
And then there’s life – when you hear your friends talk about decorating their new house, when she describes the really lavish date her boyfriend surprised her with, and the cruise she took to Greece with her girlfriends… when it sucks.
Contentment is such a gift!
He has always provided for my needs, even when it didn’t look possible! nothing can take you from His Hand. that is enough.
I hope I am the other side of that coin. Christians who have higher earning jobs get to sponsor the missionaries of the world, fund WorldVision and other ministries, and keep the lights on at our local chuches. I do not feel having significantly more money than most has been a curse but rather, a blessing. It would be easy for me to think I have earned my way exclusively on my own talent and on my own efforts… but I know Who created me, Who gave me my strength, and Who blessed me with the gifts that have me where I am today.
i just read that proverbs passage. sooo cool!
To DaDaLanChong — I think it’s great if God has blessed you with a lot of material riches and that you are using it to further His Kingdom. That is exactly how God would want it. For us, though, He is calling us to live day to day on faith that He will give us enough to satisfy us.
A verse God challenged me with a few years ago about using worldly wealth was Lk 16:9, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” God challenged me to give away my money in order to bring people into the Kingdom (make eternal friends) — for that is the wisest thing any of us can do with our money.