2 Corinthians 9:6-7
‘But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.’
DAILY READING John 8:1-20; 2 Chronicles 1:1-2:16; Zechariah14
John G. Lake was a missionary to South Africa in the last century, and was one of the greatest men of God who ever lived.
When God began to speak to Lake about going into full time ministry, God confirmed to him that he was to move to South Africa to begin a new work. At that time John G lake was doing well as a business man in America, but in answer to the call to move to South Africa, he had to leave his job, thereby forsaking his mega-salary. After some months of preparation, he, his family and some of their friends Left for South Africa.
When they arrived in South Africa, they had no money. And they were faced with an immediate need of at least $125 in order to clear customs. They nervously waited for their turn in line, rehearsing what they would say to the immigration officers. They were in desperate need of a miracle, as the South African law read that they would be subject to deportation as quickly as they arrived if they couldn’t pay the needed fee. Just as they were about to get to the front of the line, John felt a tap on his shoulder… A man was standing behind John and said “excuse me sir, can I have a word with you?” John nervously stepped out of line at the man’s request and the man said “when I saw you and your family in line, the Lord told me to give you $200 cash”. And the man proceeded to give John the money. Thus The Lord provided just enough money for John and his family to enter the country. But their needs didn’t stop there. The Lakes and their crew had no ministry contact in Johannesburg and didn’t have where to be accommodated. But soon after they cleared customs, a woman approached John and asked how many people were in their family, when John replied “9”, she said “you’re the ones!” She went on to tell John that The Lord had spoken to her the night before that she was to give her home to a family of 9 people who were coming from America to do God’s work. John, his family and their crew rejoiced in the dramatic provision of the Lord. Indeed God had gone ahead of them to make miraculous provisions. Their time in South Africa was marked with waves of revival, there were multitudes saved, healed and delivered over the course of their 5 year ministry tour in South Africa.
Indeed we serve The God of miraculous provisions. He is an ever present help in the time of need. No matter the tight corners we may find ourselves financially, we have to trust that God is more than able to meet our needs. In Matthew chapter 14 , Jesus and His disciples were faced with the challenge of feeding 5000 people. Feeling overwhelmed by the situation, the disciples told Jesus to send the people away. But Matthew 14:16, says “But Jesus said to them, ‘They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.'” Unlike the disciples, Jesus was not overwhelmed by the situation, He knew what to do. He took the few loaves and fishes that were available, looked up and blessed God and began to break and distribute to the crowd. And miraculously the bread and fishes were more than enough. Though initially the bread in His hand wasn’t enough to feed the crowd, Jesus didn’t wait for all of the provision. He presented what He had and took a step of faith and God brought forth a miracle. On the other hand, the disciples lacked faith and were going to dismiss the people, and in so doing would have missed the miracle of God.
Many times like the disciples, when faced with difficult situations, we try to figure things out in the natural or go a logical route. But we need to expect God to move in our time of need. When we learn to see through the eyes of faith, miracles happen. No matter how insufficient what you have, when you present it to God, God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all you could ever ask or imagine.
Miracles are not myths, neither are they magic; they are provoked by your faithful compliance with and obedience to the demands of scriptures. When you are born again, you have been ushered into the realm of the miraculous. And in this realm, you have been given the keys of the kingdom of heaven to open whichever door you desire. And one of the keys we operate to experience miraculous provisions is the covenant of giving. When we operate the law of sowing and reaping God will always meet us at the points of our need.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 says ‘But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.’
When you are a giver and walk in righteousness God will never forsake you in the time of need. The testimony of David confirms this. Psalms 37:25 says ‘I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.’ And also Psalms 37:18 – 19 says ‘The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.’
Indeed God is too faithful to fail. When you are walking in line with the laws of God and you are practicing the giving covenant, God will ensure you are always divinely provided for in the time of need. Therefore no matter how insufficient, what you may have in your hands today, make up your mind to begin to trust for a miracle. Indeed God is able to exceed your expectations, He will never leave you stranded and He is ever more than enough to meet all your needs.
PRAYER: Lord, I know You are more than enough to meet all my needs. Please grant me the grace to always walk in line with Your covenant so that I can access your miracle of divine provision in my times of need in Jesus Name. .
QUOTE
When you make that which is priority to God to become your priority, God automatically makes you priority in His own plan. – WORDBITE 222.
[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS]