The Lord Will Provide - The One Year Book of Psalms

Psalm 33:10-22

10The LORD shatters the plans of the nations

and thwarts all their schemes.

11But the LORD’s plans stand firm forever;

his intentions can never be shaken.

12What joy for the nation whose God is the LORD,

whose people he has chosen for his own.

13The LORD looks down from heaven

and sees the whole human race.

14From his throne he observes

all who live on the earth.

15He made their hearts,

so he understands everything they do.

16The best-equipped army cannot save a king,

nor is great strength enough to save a warrior.

17Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory—

for all its strength, it cannot save you.

18But the LORD watches over those who fear him,

those who rely on his unfailing love.

19He rescues them from death

and keeps them alive in times of famine.

20We depend on the LORD alone to save us.

Only he can help us, protecting us like a shield.

21In him our hearts rejoice,

for we are trusting in his holy name.

22Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD,

for our hope is in you alone.

On November 6, 1627, the French army encircled the town of Rochelle. For nearly thirty years the Huguenots, a minority group of Protestant Christians, had lived there. But Cardinal Richelieu ordered a complete blockade of Rochelle. Soon all provisions within the city were scarce. All animals were killed for food, and bones, plaster, leather gloves, and saddles were devoured.

A widow named Prosni, however, shared whatever she owned with those who were starving. Her sister-in-law chided her, saying, “What will you do when your own supplies run out?”

Widow Prosni responded, “The Lord will provide.” Then she quoted Psalm 33:18-19, closing with “[He] keeps them alive in times of famine.”

The siege continued, and the widow and her four children ran out of food. Her sister-in-law scoffed at her and refused to help her.

The widow returned home, resolving to trust in the Lord even if it meant death. When she got to her house, her children were dancing with joy. In her absence a stranger had dropped off a sack of wheat. The provision was enough to support her family until the siege was lifted the following June.

God does not always choose to rescue his people in such concrete ways, but he does promise to take care of our true needs. Like this faithful widow, let us trust in our great God, who “watches over those who fear him” (verse 18).

Praise the Lord! for he is glorious;

Never shall his promise fail.

God hath made his saints victorious;

Sin and death shall not prevail.

FOUNDLING HOSPITAL COLLECTION

Notable Quotable

“The wheels in a clock move contrary to each other, some one way, some another, yet all serve the intent of the watchmaker, to show the time. So in the world the providence of God may seem to run contrary to his promises; one man takes this way, another runs that way, yet all in conclusion center in the purpose of God the great Creator.”

RICHARD SIBBES