Today’s scripture: Luke 22:7-13 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Mark Shoup):
About 8 years ago, I was in a very bad place. The depression I had battled on and off most of my adult life had gotten so bad that I was staying in bed for days at a time, unable to deal with anything beyond that. I had stopped going to work, stopped returning phone calls to concerned friends, and in a very real way, had shut down. I wanted more than anything just to not exist anymore and I begged God to make it happen.
God heard me and answered my plea, but not in the way I was thinking God would.
Against all probability and my vigorous resistance, a coworker from the job I had abandoned finally got me to go to a doctor, where I was immediately put on anti-depressants and into counseling. After a while the haze of depression started to lift.
Soon after, an elderly couple asked if they could pay me to do a little landscaping for them. When I agreed they told their friends, and soon I was working on most of the yards in an entire neighborhood and making enough money to keep my apartment and pay my bills.
Before long my lease was up and my roommate decided to move away. God put it into my head that I should buy a house, rather than try to find another apartment or roommate to share expenses. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to try to buy a house when you are unemployed, but the drive to do so wouldn’t be denied. I started looking and soon found a house that I knew right away was the place for me. I called the listing agent and left a voice mail explaining my interest and my situation. She wouldn’t return my calls. I called another realtor — one who was just starting out. He probably didn’t yet know enough to realize what a waste of time showing houses to an unemployed person was, thankfully. Through him, I made an offer on the house, which was accepted contingent on my securing financing. Contrary to logical reason, I qualified for a mortgage (without even a co-signer) and was able to buy that house.
Fixing up and redecorating that house was just what I needed to become myself again. It gave me purpose and a sense of belonging at a time when I had alienated most of my friends and all my relatives lived out of state.
I know that God made it all happen, and if it were not for God’s intervention, I literally wouldn’t have lasted much longer.
Jehovah Jireh. The Lord provides. God will provide. They aren’t just words for me, they are truths! Just like God provided what was needed to prepare for the Passover meal, if you call on the Lord, God will provide what you need. Even when it seems all is lost, God provides. I know, because I’ve been there.
Thought for the day: Call on the Lord. God will hear you!
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.