This may look familiar as the title was published previously–but a different devotional was included in the body of the message. My error. Please take a moment to read this devotional by Kerryn which so many of us can relate with. -Lisa
“In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old” (Isaiah 63:9).
Illnesses create strains in many areas, causing further stress. Financial strain is a scary problem among the sick, and I’m no exception!
How do we cope as God’s children?
We go through the feelings that every human being goes through and God feels our distress! If we listen He shows us His ways that are so much better to relieve the stress, as we trust in Him.
Recently God has drawn me to reading chronologically through the Bible. Through this He is continually reminding me that He provided for His children.
He “carried them all the days of old.”
God is the same yesterday, today and forever, so He will carry us through too. Just like the Israelites, He may show us strange and bizarre things to do too! However, we can trust Him.
Many years ago our family walked away from a shared property where all our money was invested. We left with our belongings and family because God told us to. Nearly 2 years later He orchestrated the property sale and our investment returned.
In 2003 God sent our family on a trip overseas for 6 months, with no idea where we were going, why or how to cover our expenses, as we had no income. He provided homes to stay, ministry and income opportunities from the strangest places. In each home that we stayed in we heard people say that God had sent us to help them!
Reminiscing reminded me that God has carried us “all the days of old” and He will do it again.
So what are we to do?
Read the Bible, pray, listen, do what God shows us, trust Him, walk by faith and not by sight.
Just like the Israelites, it may not be easy, but God will guide us.
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You are Jehovah-jireh, the Lord who provides. Help me to thank You in this journey and not to grumble, like the Israelites, when Your provision may be different to what I want. Amen.
About the Author:
Kerryn Wright lives with her family among the gum trees in South Australia. She was a special education teacher prior to chronic illnesses. Her husband is carer for three of their family, who have chronic illnesses and disabilities. God has always guided them through life’s challenges, often in surprising ways.
Are you going through a scary time with your finances? How has God provided for you in the past? What bible story of God’s provision encourages you most?
This is Alan Jackson singing a much-loved hymn, “I Love to Tell the Story.” When I think of financial strains, I think of the ways God does provide. It doesn’t mean we live an easy life or we have everything we want–or sometimes what we need–but that He does provide. And what a wonderful story we have to share of His goodness even when we are at the end of our dollars and wondering how He will show up. -Lisa
Kerryn, as I read your devotional I am reminded of the daily provisions the Israelites had in the form of manna.
As I am called to live each day with Him and for Him, I often have to be reminded – okay EVERY DAY I have to be reminded that He is the manna and gives of what He has to meet all my needs.
As you said, you can look back to days past and realize the truth of that provision in your and your family’s own lives.
It is good to be reminded of such faithfulness that He is to each of us.
GREAT devotional – thanks.
Love, Lynn
Thanks dear Lynn 🙂
Oh I chuckled with your words: “I often have to be reminded – okay EVERY DAY I have to be reminded that He is the manna and gives of what He has to meet all my needs.” Me too!!! This devotional has arrived just when I needed to read this same message from God for me.
I’m so very thankful for the many times that God has provided…. in odd ways…. over our family’s life. Right down to returning home from our 2003 trip overseas. We were broke with barely enough money for food. We were stuck in the airport overnight without enough money to get a hotel room for the night, so we slept there & slept just fine! Then in the morning our sons saw wonderful coin operated games in the airport. Bless them…. they didn’t ask for money for them, but a man came around to collect the coins & put a coin in each machine for our boys & in French let them know it was for them to play for free! Their little faces beamed as they thanked him!! God’s provision even to entertain them in the airport! God is thoughtful! 🙂 God bless. Lotsoluv Kerryn
Great testimony Kerryn – God will guide! 🙂
Thanks Fiona 🙂
Yes He will guide & provide! Lotsoluv Kerryn
Dear Kerryn Wright, Hi! Thanks for this article. It is some what like what my husband and I are going through. In early 2013 God told us to leave Nebraska and go to Indiana. We were took only what we felt needed for the trip assuming we would return for the rest of our belongings shortly.At that time my husband was out of work and searching for a job. A month after being there in Indiana, God opened the door to come to Tennessee where yet again we stayed with someone else. Then we had to move in with yet another family here in TN. We have been living with this second family in TN for 2 years all the while are stuff sits in storage back in Nebraska. It has been challenging to our faith yet has grown us in the Lord. My husband has been working for just over 2 years but housing close to his work just hasn’t worked out yet. I’m much heartened to read someone else has been a wandering gypsy for God. Thank you for obeying God and Thank you for sharing your story. Sincerely,Michele
Wow! What a testimony Jada! 🙂 Thanks soooooo much for sharing it with me.
I chuckled with your description of being “a wandering gypsy for God.” Never heard that term, but it describes our family well! We travelled a lot with my husband’s work & often took the children out of school, while I home-schooled them as we travelled for weeks or months at a time. The blessings were huge though. To this day our sons often talk about times staying with others & the skills they learned in community living have benefitted them greatly.
I pray for God’s help in co-ordinating housing closer to work for you & your hubby. May God bless you both, as you minister to others wherever you are! Lotsoluv Kerryn
Kerryn, Excellent Devotion and wonderful testimony to God’s provision 🙂
It is good to see the many ways the Lord provides for us as we trust Him 🙂
Blessings.
Thanks Karlton 🙂
We had a sudden financial need today, which seemed impossible. We prayed & God provided an amazing solution. It required being obedient to His leading & then we saw why! God is good. Lotsoluv Kerryn
That’s awesome Kerryn 🙂 God is so very good to us 🙂