A Permanent Place of Provision

I want to tell you a story about a young lady in our church. She is a single parent, a hard worker, and a faithful volunteer. She's always done her best to provide a living for her family, but always struggled in her finances. 

She has her college degree and a good job, but at the end of every month, she barely has enough to pay her bills. She wanted to take her children on vacation, but every time she tried to save up extra funds, something would break or an unexpected bill would come in. She just couldn't get ahead. But she didn't get discouraged. She didn't start complaining. She just kept being faithful and productive; she kept honoring God and loving people. I would see her all the time at the church giving, serving and helping others.

God says, "When you abide in Me, you will bear much fruit. Not only that, your fruit will remain." That means not temporary favor, but permanent favor; not a season of blessing, but a lifetime of blessing. Because you keep abiding in Him, God won't let you live a life of constant struggle. This young lady was obviously abiding in Him. You could just tell by the smile on her face and her demeanor.

About four years ago, this lady's supervisor took an unexpected, early retirement, and she was given that position. With that position came an incredible increase in her salary. She was very grateful. But then, about a month ago she told me that one of the vice-presidents of their company suddenly resigned, and she was given that position. She said, "Joel, now I'm making more than ten times what I made when I first started." Today, she doesn't live under that constant financial pressure. She has more than enough. She can take her children on vacation whenever she wants. Now, she supports another single parent family as well. She has been blessed to be a blessing!

Friend, that's what God wants for you. He wants to promote you and set you on high. You may be in tough times right now. You may be struggling. But don't let a spirit of lack get on the inside of you. Where you are today is not where you're going to stay. God has so much more in your future. If you will stay submitted to Him, if you will follow His Word and be faithful with what you have, then you're going to come in to a permanent place of provision. Keep praying, keep believing, keep hoping because your "due season" is on the way!

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9, NIV).