Keziah was 3 when she memorized her very first Bible verse:
"The Little Children and Jesus
People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.' And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them." (Mark 10:13-16)
I have never been so moved by needs and concerns as I have been these past two years. I felt like an adult, the one who makes the big decisions, one of the older people, you know. I have to be honest and say, I don't like the feeling. This does not have anything to do with age or physical deterioration. It has to do with how I have been viewing how these concerns and needs are going to be met.
I now see that I kind of loosened my grip on my Father's hand. He hasn't taken His eyes off of me though. He hasn't left my side. And more than ever I know He never will.
My husband and I are not any different from other folks who have had to deal with needs and such. But, always, always we'd see God come through, unmoved by the concerns.
Every time a need came, we'd turn to God and just ask. Then provision comes like you can't imagine it would come - money from an old job not once, or twice, but thrice; faithful people who taught, encouraged, and believed in us; a 50% increase in my salary for a whole year in the guise of a transition phase prior to an imminent layoff, with me ending up being absorbed eventually. These are just a few of the ways God has seen us through. And His ways have always amazed me!
One thing I recently realized as I woke up from my 2-year faith stupor is that God didn't give us any of these things because of what we have done, have not done, or will do. We deserve none of it. And He gave without reservation.
The basis of God's faithful provision is not our performance. It is based on how much we would dare believe that He would do what He said He would do.
"... let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." (James 1:5-6)
"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." (Mark 11:23-24)
"And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." (John 14:13-14)
Be still as a child before God. Keep your hand in the safety of His. We have to fight for that space and place, not because someone wants our spot, but because someone (the enemy) doesn't want us there.
Stop looking at your circumstances. Instead, keep your focus on God. KNOW and remember His promises for you, because as your Father, He wants to fulfill them.
I know no other place of deep warmth and unquestionable assurance as when I am held by my Father's hand. Can you feel it, too?
The basis of God's faithful provision is not our performance. It is based on how much we would dare believe that He would do what He said He would do.
