22 July 2008 Devotion for Today “I Don’t Know How I’m Going to Get By” Philippians 4:11-12, 19

22 July 2008 Devotion for Today “I Don’t Know How I’m Going to Get By” Philippians 4:11-12, 19

A man was brought to Mercy Hospital, and taken quickly in for coronary surgery. The operation went well and, as the groggy man regained consciousness, he was reassured by a Sister of Mercy who was waiting by his bed."Mr. Smith, you're going to be just fine," said the nun, gently patting his hand."We do need to know, however, how you intend to pay for your stay here. Are you covered by insurance?" "No, sorry, I don't have any insurance," the man whispered hoarsely. "Can you pay in cash?" persisted the nun."I'm afraid I cannot, Sister.""Well, do you have any close relatives?" the nun essayed."Just my sister in New Mexico," he volunteered. "But she's a humble spinster nun." "Oh, I must correct you, Mr. Smith. Nuns are not spinsters;' they are married to God.""Wonderful," said Smith. "In that case, please send the bill to my brother-in-law!"

It’s a fact of life that we all worry, right? We know that we shouldn’t; we know that it’s wrong; but we do it anyway. Everyone has heard about the effects of worry: it causes ulcers, high blood pressure, heart problems, it drains your energy. We know these facts, but we worry in spite of them. Many people think that worry is the result of the fast-paced, high-pressure lives we lead today, but the truth is that worry is not a 20th century phenomenon. It has been a problem for centuries.The Psalms tell us worry only leads to harm (Psalm 37:8), Proverbs tells us that “worry makes a heart heavy” (Proverbs 12:25).

Yesterday I began this series of devotionals entitled “Seven Phrases a Christian Should Never Say.” Today I want to deal with 2. “I don’t know how I’m going to get by” I believe that this is ultimately the consummate form of blasphemy because if you honestly believe that you cannot be a Christian or you are not walking very closely with the Lord. At the very least if you believe this you are not reading your Bible, because the Word of God is replete with statements like Philippians 4:19 “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Jesus also said, “Therefore, do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” (Matthew 6:31-32).

Other promises of God’s provision and God’s providence continually remind us that He will help us and enable us to fulfill what He has placed us on earth to do. You may not know how you are going to get by- but this is where faith comes in. It may require you to take your eyes off of your resources- or lack of them- and concentrate where God is providing and sustaining you.

There are all kinds of objections, of course. Do Christians have to file bankruptcy? Yes, I’ve known a few who have. Are there Christians who are starving to death, or going without? There probably are. Has God failed them, because they are going without? First of all, we do not know their circumstances. I have also known some Christians to live beyond their means and continue to spend money well beyond their income. They can hardly blame God for not “getting by.” There may be Christians who are suffering persecution or caught up, as some are in Darfur in the Sudan, in ethnic cleansing and genocide. The fact is, there have martyrs for two thousand years, and yet God has used them for His purpose to further the message of the Gospel, as Paul tells us in Philippians 4:11-12 “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”

Even you do not know how you will get by, be content in the knowledge that God knows what you need. He may not help you make your payment for your Lexus, but He will make sure you do not starve. You may have to tighten your belt, and do without some things you thought were necessities. I gave up drinking Starbucks coffee when it cost more for a gallon of gas than it did for a cup of daily espresso fix.

May the Lord help you see how He is providing for your every need today.

Have a blessed day!