God Provides

As [the woman] came in, the king was talking with Gehazi, the servant of the man of God. . . . And Gehazi was telling the king about the time Elisha had brought a boy back to life. At that very moment, the mother of the boy walked in to make her appeal to the king.

2 Kings 8:4-5

The woman in 2 Kings 8 had gone to the land of the Philistines for seven years, as Elisha had instructed her. There God had provided for her and her son’s needs. After the famine, she desired to have her land and home restored. In the Lord’s timing, she entered the king’s presence at the exact moment Gehazi was recounting God’s miracle that had brought the woman’s son back to life years before. The king decreed that everything taken from her be returned to her.

In a similar way, God provides what his people—especially widows or women who are alone—need. My friend Jane’s husband had left, her company had downsized, and she had lost her job. When she had to move out of her house, all seemed lost.

Yet the more uncertain her circumstances became, the more aware she was that God was with her. Quietly but distinctly, little holes were punched in the dark clouds, and streams of light flowed through as God seemed to whisper, You’re not alone. You can trust me. As Jane’s bank account shrank, she turned to God and found security in his presence.

After a few months, an old college friend asked Jane to decorate her large, historic home. Jane’s aunt opened her home to Jane, a part-time job became available, and her brother moved halfway across the country to be near and offer his love and support. She later married a wonderful man and was blessed with children, and Jane had hope and a future she had never dreamed of.

Lord, your Word says that you do good to those whose hearts are in tune with you and trust you. Grant me grace to turn to you in every adversity, to trust you and love you more each day—even when my present is dark or the future looks uncertain.

Trust God where you cannot trace him. Do not try to penetrate the cloud he brings over you; rather look to the [rain]bow that is on it. The mystery is God’s; the promise is yours.

John R. Macduff(1818–1895), Scottish minister and hymn writer