"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
So we can confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear;
what can man do to me?”
I will not fear;
what can man do to me?”
~Hebrews 13:5-6
When God drew me to Himself, I had a dream. In that dream He rescued me from death and said very clearly, "I will not leave you or forsake you." I had no idea that was scripture at the time. I was only twelve years old and did not know the benefit of being in God's word.
However, later on in life, I discovered that those very words were Scripture! I also learned that context is important when interpreting scripture. The words around, "never will I leave you or forsake you", would give me the context of the deeper meaning. I was astonished to see that these words are framed around contentment and the love of money. (Though these verses do occur first in the book of Joshua encouraging him not to fear entering the land of promise.)
This season is tough. My husband is losing his job as a contracting company comes in to restructure. It is a time of revealed trust or lack there of in our Savior as provider. The pressure from this situation helped me see that I was loving money. Not because I am wasteful or like expensive things. I lack trust when I don't know if money will come in. This is a lack of trust in my Savior as Provider. I was trusting money as my savior.
Once that was revealed it was necessary to confess it. Then walk forward in faith that he will provide as He always has. It is only through trials or pressures that our hearts will reveal what we truly worship. If I was not walking through this season, I would think I was trusting God for our needs, but really, I was trusting in a steady paycheck.
I am thankful for this revelation. I am thankful God cares enough to reveal our hearts so we can confess this idolatry and move in fuller allegiance to Him. He gives more grace. In the process of dying to worry and dependence on a paycheck, we become more Christ like because we walk without fear knowing that God will provide. It is His promise. We must walk in it. This doesn't make it easy but a regular realization that I need to trust Him instead of any other thing.
As we journey this path of the unknown for the next few months, I know God will provide. And at the end of this test, He will strengthen our faith. He is a good Father. He is always there. He truly will never leave or forsake us.
5 comments:
My husband is about to retire from his military career. I'm trying to stay peaceful and calm and trust that God has a plan, but I don't know what that plan is right now. It might be that I have to go back to work, which is not what I really want, so I'm trying to be willing to follow where He leads even if it's not the picture I have in mind.
I can identify with this. I will pray for you. My husband's job is likely ending. Everything is up in the air - don't know how long to hang in there and also look for another job. It will also involve a move. He is just two years short of 65 and who wants someone his age? Sometimes it is hard to just keep breathing. What is God's plan? Am I trusting God or trusting mammon?
Angela, this is such a good post. I will be praying for you and your family. It is hard to fully surrender and place our trust in Him alone --- but it is beautiful to know He is always faithful and His grace, mercy, and resources extend beyond anything we can comprehend!
Thank you for pointing that passage out! I was familiar with the Joshua reference but never quite noticed that in Hebrews. I'm facing a very financially uncertain time too, so this was very good for me to read. Thank you!
We are in the same boat with our current financial situation, actually this evening it all hit me. The fear, uncertainty, and no control. However, I refuse to let Satan steal my joy. My trust in this the Lord!
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