"Precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little and there a little." Isaiah 28:10
"Precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little and there a little." Isaiah 28:10
I have much to be grateful for over the past few months. This testimony shows how: “All things work together for good, to them that love God.”
About a year ago, I came into contact with a charitable organisation that organised safe and legal passage for students of a war-torn country to come and complete their university studies in the region where I live.
I had been struggling with debt and loneliness since my divorce. It came to me to look at the account in the Bible about Peter healing a lame beggar who was asking alms at the gate of the temple. Peter said: “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” (Acts 3:6).
What I had was a house and a spare bedroom. I contacted the charitable organisation and offered it. I knew that any extra expense incurred by offering: “a cup of cold water in Christ’s name” would be fully covered by our Father- Mother God. I also remember an example that dear Fenella shared with us in class instruction about a woman who suddenly found herself unemployed. She immediately baked a lot of biscuits and distributed them among her neighbours as an affirmation of God’s unceasing supply. Needless to say, her needs were met.
Over the summer, I also had an opportunity to briefly offer accommodation and help to a regular member of our local congregation who was in much more difficulty than myself.
However, by the end of August, things seemed to be going from bad to worse and I felt so desperate that I literally cried out to God in my distress. As it says in the Bible: “In my distress I called upon the Lord and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.” (Psalm 18:6).
The following morning I remembered the advice we had once heard at Association about keeping a gratitude diary, so I started immediately. I also took time to sit and really study the Bible Lesson for that week in depth. As I was reading, a very strong thought came to me: “You are not excluded from God’s goodness!” As I thought about the steps I could take to resolve my situation, it came to me to follow up on a suggestion that a mentor had made some months previously regarding applying for some assistance. I had not followed this through at the time. On this bright summer morning I reasoned that if I was not excluded from God’s goodness I could re-open my application for help immediately. Which I did with resolve!
Within two working days, I not only had the funds to pay off all my long outstanding debts, but my monthly income had increased to cover the shortfall I had been experiencing. I was back on my feet after many years of hard work. The extraordinary thing I remember was the feeling of warmth and comfort that spread through my being as I spoke with someone from the assistance organisation. I felt totally assured that all was well. My gratitude was immense. I endeavoured to hold onto that feeling for as long as I could!
The “paying it forwards” has continued as an overseas student arrived in February. Who could have envisaged what a blessing it is for me to have this young person in the house during the past weeks of ‘lock-down’?
I am so grateful for this demonstration of God’s supply, not only to me, but to my new young house-mate or ‘neighbour’ as well.