ODJ: a lot by a lot

June 23, 2013 

READ: Psalm 84:10-12 

The Lord will withholdno good thing fromthose who do what is right (v.11).

The first 4 years my adopted Ugandan son was with me, I experienced no fears about the future or my ability to support him. Recently, however, as I’ve struggled to pay bills and survive on a small ministry salary that provides us with no disposable income, I’ve entered into a worrisome state. My fleshly desires have tilted towards greater financial security rather than the need to trust God’s provision on a seemingly day to day basis.

Living in East Africa, I’m surrounded by people suffering from extreme poverty. I know that I’m materially far better off than 98 percent of the people around me. Yet during the past 3 weeks I’ve had a hard time clinging to the truths of Psalm 84:10-12:

• The Lord “is our sun and our shield” (v.11).

• “He gives us grace and glory” (v.11).

• “The Lord will withhold no good thing from thosewho do what is right (v.11).

• Joy is found as we trust in Him (v.12).

Yesterday I stopped at an ATM in Kampala, Uganda. When I emerged with cash in my hand, my 9 year old son Wasswa said, “Mummy, God’s blessed us with money.” Somewhat sceptically, I said, “Yes, God’s providing for us bit by bit.” Wasswa sweetly replied, “Mummy, God provides for us a lot by a lot!”

God has chosen to bless me with a son who by his own example of faith challenges me to humble myself, to trust that God will lift me up in honour, and to give all my worries and care to Him (1 Peter 5:6-8).

If you sometimes struggle to rest in the truth that God will provide for all your needs, please join me in praying that He will strengthen our faith and increasingly help us to maintain our trust in Him.—Roxanne Robbins

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