“Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, ‘On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.'” – Genesis 22:13-14

In the late 1980’s, David Smallbone felt God leading him to promote Christian concerts in his homeland of Australia. When too few fans filled the seats during one major tour, however, David lost more than $250,000. Then in 1991, creditors repossessed his home, and the father of six looked for work elsewhere and he was offered a job in Nashville, Tennessee. The Smallbones sold their furniture and other possessions and purchased tickets to the United States. A few weeks after they arrived, however, David was informed that his position was “no longer available.” He literally could not get out of bed for several days. When he and his wife explained to their children what happened, they all got on their knees and asked God to help them. Interesting things began to happen. God provided bags of groceries, a minivan, and odd jobs. Then in 1994, while living out of the van, David’s oldest daughter Rebecca was offered a recording contract with ForeFront Records. She began recording using an old family name, St. James. Today, David promotes Rebecca St. James’ concerts and she has become one of the most popular Christian artists in America.

There is no situation so desperate that the Lord cannot provide for you if we would only look to Him as our source of provision. Today in prayer, give your needs to Christ, knowing that the Lord will provide for you.

“We are God’s tenants here, and yet here He, our landlord, pays us rents–not yearly, nor quarterly, but hourly and quarterly; every minute He renews His mercy.” – John Donne

God’s Word: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” – 1 Timothy 6:17

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2003, Devotional E-Mail DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS pkennedy@devotional.com