HomeWord - Dec. 11, 2006

God Provides 
This devotional was written by Jim Burns

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the doors will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him.
— Matthew 7:7-11     

God cares for you. He wants the best for you. He always has your best interest in mind. Because he is your loving heavenly Father you must tell him your needs constantly. He wants to provide abundant life and abundant blessings for you.

George Muller was a man of great faith in our God as a provider for the children in his orphanage in England. One day things looked bleak for the children in his orphanage at Ashley Downs. It was time for breakfast, and there was no food. A small girl whose father was a close friend of Muller was visiting in the home. Muller took her hand and said, "Come and see what our Father will do." In the dining room, long tables were set with empty plates and empty mugs. Not only was there no food in the kitchen, but there was no money in the home's account. Muller prayed, "Dear Father, we thank Thee for what Thou art going to give us to eat." Immediately, they heard a knock at the door. When they opened it, there stood the local baker. "Mr. Muller," he said, "I couldn't sleep last night. Somehow I felt you had no bread for breakfast, so I got up at two o'clock and baked fresh bread. Here it is." Muller thanked him and gave praise to God. Soon, a second knock was heard. It was the milkman. His cart had broken down in the front of the orphanage. He said he would like to give the children the milk so he could empty the cart and repair it.

There's a word that comes to my mind after reading that incredible story. It's not necessarily a spiritual word - but it's the word I bet was also on the mind of the hungry children that day. WOW. What else can you do but take a moment to thank God for all his provisions?       

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GOING DEEPER:

1. What makes this story so inspiring?

2. Take a few minutes and list the many ways God has provided for you in this past week (even if you took most of it for granted).

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 47

HomeWord Encouraging Parents…Building Families
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