He Will See To It

“For the LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and my native land, solemnly promised to give this land to my descendants. He will send his angel ahead of you, and he will see to it that you find a wife there for my son.” – Genesis 24:7 (NLT)

God keeps every promise. He does what He says He will do. He never lies or deceives. As Psalm 138:2 says, “…I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.” However, we’re human so it takes time and experience to learn to trust God’s faithfulness.

Abraham learned to trust God’s provision and promises. God called Abraham to leave his father’s land and household not knowing where he was going. God promised Abraham descendants before he had children. Abraham waited, what seemed like eternity, before the promised son, Isaac, was born. A few years later, God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son. But Abraham now trusted God at His word, so he obeyed. God, true to his faithfulness and his promise, intervened by providing a ram to sacrifice — sparing Isaac.

Later, Isaac needed a wife so Abraham would have his promised descendents. Abraham knew God would see to it. No wonder Abraham assured his servant that the Lord would “send His angel ahead of you, and He will see to it that you find a wife there for my son.”

We can learn from Abraham’s faith and trust because we serve the same faithful God. He guarantees His promises — by the honor of His name. What concerns you today? What causes you to worry and wonder how things will work out? Remember, Abraham’s story assures us, God will see to it.

Father God, thank you for your faithfulness and love and all of the honor of your Name that backs your every promise. Thank you that we can trust your words and your promises to us. You will work on our behalf when we are in need. We cry to You to help… Lord see to it. Amen.

Go Deeper — Remembering is a great way to build and reaffirm our faith. Think back and remember how God has been faithful to you, how He has answered your prayers for help and strength, how He has solved problems in your life, maybe even before they got to you. Thank God for all you remember, and then trust Him with your current situation(s).

 

Our Financial Security

Matthew 25:14-28

Feeling safe is a basic human need. Many people think they are financially secure until a little blip comes along in the economy or their personal circumstances. Then the reality that they are vulnerable hits home. Contrary to what the world says, financial security is found not in a bank account or a retirement fund but in a relationship with the One who owns everything in heaven and on earth.

God is not too busy running the universe to be concerned about your financial situation. The truth is, He cares about every detail of your life, including your need for economic security. By trusting His directions about how to acquire and use money, you can experience peace, contentment, and joy.

When it comes to finances, three basic truths should govern our thinking:

1. God owns it all.
2. We are managers of His possessions.
3. We are responsible and will one day give an account to Him for the way we used His resources.

True financial security comes only when we use God’s money His way for His purposes. He alone knows the future and has the power to provide for our needs, whereas any financial strategy we might devise is backed only by human effort and wisdom.

Don’t you want to experience the stability of internal peace, even during an economic earthquake? Trusting in the Lord’s provision and obeying His instructions will fill you with confidence when others are gripped by fear and uncertainty. Rest in the knowledge that God provides for His children.

Help in Distress

For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong.

Acts 27:23

Storms and darkness, combined with imminent risk of shipwreck, had brought the crew of the vessel into a sorry predicament; only one man among them remained perfectly calm, and by his word the rest were reassured. Paul was the only man who had enough heart to say, “I urge you to take heart.” There were veteran Roman soldiers on board, and brave sailors, but their poor Jewish prisoner had more spirit than all of them. He had a secret Friend who kept his courage up. The Lord Jesus sent a heavenly messenger to whisper words of comfort in Paul’s ear, and as a result his face shone, and he spoke like a man at ease.

If we fear the Lord, we may look for His timely intervention when our case is at its worst. Angels are not kept from us by storms or hindered by darkness. Seraphs do not think it is beneath them to visit the poorest of the heavenly family. If angels’ visits are few and far between at ordinary times, they will be frequent in our nights of tempest and storm. Friends may leave us when we are under pressure, but our awareness of the members of the angelic world will be far more apparent. Strengthened by loving words brought to us from the throne via Jacob’s ladder, we will be able to do daring feats.

Dear reader, are you facing an hour of distress? Then ask for particular help. Jesus is the angel of the covenant, and if you earnestly seek His presence, it will not be denied. The encouragement which that presence brings will be remembered by those who, like Paul, have had the angel of God standing by them in a night of storm, when anchors slipped and shipwreck threatened.

O angel of my God, be near,
Amid the darkness hush my fear;
Loud roars the wild tempestuous sea,
Thy presence, Lord, shall comfort me.