Isaiah 26:3-4 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:’

DAILY READING ; •            Revelation 9; Nehemiah 12; Psalm 104:1-23

James Hudson Taylor was the pioneer missionary to China.  The classic book, “Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret,” tells a story of how God amazingly provided for him during a difficult time in his ministry.

At that time, Hudson had just taken over the running of a hospital from a medical missionary who had to leave China to return back to Scotland. The unique thing about this hospital was that, both the treatment and drugs were all free. And it had an average of 50 in-patients on any given day, who must all be fed and taken care of. Hudson Tailor had no visible means of support for this hospital, and after the funds that the medical missionary left with him had run out, he relied on his faith in God to see him through.

One day, the hospital’s funds were finally used up and supplies ran low. Though he had every reason to worry, rather, Hudson Taylor went into prayers seeking God’s intervention. A day came when the hospital’s cook announced that the last bag of rice had been opened and was finishing fast. At this point anxiety and worries tried to assail Hudson’s mind, but yet he kept praying, trusting God for a miracle.

Then just before the last bag of rice was finished, a letter arrived that was among the most extraordinary he had ever received. The letter was from a Mr. Berger in the United Kingdom, containing a cheque. The writer said his father had just passed away and left him a substantial inheritance and he was offering regular support for the work Hudson was doing in China. The money he sent was more than enough to cover the hospital’s needs. On receiving this letter, Hudson Taylor was overwhelmed with gratitude and was in awe of God.

Of course Mr. Berger had no way of knowing about the urgent needs of the hospital. In fact the letter was sent five months earlier! But God so arranged it that it arrived at the very time when Hudson Taylor needed it the most.

 

Often times, the things we worry and fret over, are things God has already taken care of in the spirit, and it is only a matter of time before we see the physical manifestation.

In addressing the worry over physical needs, Jesus said “do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the gentiles run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” (Matthew 6:31]

God is indeed mindful of us. And often times He is working behind the scenes even when we may think nothing is moving.  And rather than be anxious, through prayer and supplication, we need to make our requests known unto Him.

The truth is that we are more effective when pray over a matter than worrying over it.

Jesus asks in Matthew 6:27 “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?’ The answer of course is, “No one!”  So then if we cannot do that which is least, why take thought for the rest?

Surveys say that most worrying is done at night between 9:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. This is the time when activity ceases, and as people lie in bed, thoughts and worries come flooding into their minds, and sometimes it becomes difficult to sleep.

Yet God says all that worrying is in vain. Psalm 127:2 says “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat – for he grants sleep to those he loves.”

Worry not only robs people of sleep, it also robs them of the joys and blessings God wants them to experience in life. And yet worrying accomplishes nothing. It has been said that a hundred load of worry will not pay an ounce of debt.

God has already asked us to cast all our cares upon Him, so trying to still carry those troubles by ourselves is what leads to worry. George Washington said ‘Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble.’

Rather than worry, God wants us to enter into His rest, by keeping our mind focused on His Word.

Isaiah 26:3 says “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

We serve the God of miracles who is able to exceed our expectations. And we can always come boldly to His throne of grace to ask for help in our times of need. His ears are always open to the cry of the righteous.

Therefore rather than worry, let us keep our minds focused on God, through studying His Word, prayer and praise. Indeed as we seek God and His Kingdom first, surely every other thing shall be added unto us.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to keep my mind focused on You always. Please enable me to get rid of worry and anxiety and grant me the grace to always believe You for the miracles that I need in Jesus Name. .

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Faith is more than just believing, it is acting upon The Word that you believe. WORDBITE 222