The Overflow
Our Father is faithful to bring you out of financial struggle (Phil. 4:19), but our obedience is key to possessing what we are expecting to receive. Let’s revisit my story about God giving me an opportunity to help a friend.
Well, the Lord was putting it on my heart to pay one month’s rent to help my friend catch up. I thought, “God?! One month?” I was living in Los Angeles where rent is not cheap and I complained, “I’m already tithing and everything I saved up we really need.” On and on I grumbled, but even through all of my complaining and resistance, my heart remained under conviction—helping my friend was not about me giving up money that I thought I needed. It was about obeying God’s instruction in meeting His child’s need. What I did not know at that time, but learned later was that my friend had come to a place of judging God as faithful despite his circumstances. “What do you really believe? Is God your source or not? Is He who I claim him to be? Then have faith in God and meet your friend’s need,” were the thoughts that echoed within. (In the next post, we’ll discuss my attitude and the position of my heart during this time).
I said, “Lord, this is a lot of money so if this is really You speaking to me, then when I text my friend, he needs to be in the city of Glendale, on Brand Blvd. and less than ten minutes from my office.” When you need help, do you think God has trouble aligning your steps to receive your miracle? Is anything hard for God?
When I texted my friend, he was in Glendale, on Brand Blvd. and less than ten minutes away from my office! I told my friend to come and meet me. He came as quickly as he could and I gave him the money. To my friend, God revealed to him that He is the God of the turnaround. He is the God Who reverses things.
When it is tough to walkout God’s instruction, stop and declare, “My Father already knows my need and He’s working behind the scenes for me.”
Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over [with no space left for more]. For with the standard of measurement you use [when you do good to others], it will be measured to you in return.”
Luke 6:38
Obeying God resulted in an overflow of blessings for the rest of the year. Unexpectedly one day, God put it in my supervisor’s heart to increase my salary by $11,000 annually. The engagement ring I had been looking for was custom-made for $1,000 less, but appraised for nearly $2,000 more! Flight tickets to fly from Los Angeles to Dubai was less than $700 round trip, which at the time was unheard of! Some of the wedding gifts were monetary and the amounts were so large they helped cover the bills for the wedding. Moreover, the honeymoon to Thailand was completely free! All our hotel stays, flights, bills for the wedding ceremony and reception, were completely paid in full! We had no debt after the wedding! Even though expenses did exceed our budget, God took care of it all. Every single prayer point was answered! Dare to believe God, friend. Dare to obey Him.
About a year later, I asked the friend that I helped how he had covered the other two months of back rent he owed. He said God had spoken to two other individuals during the same week and he was given more than enough to catch up and overcome this financial struggle! Can God not turn your situation around? Can you judge God faithful even when you don’t see anything change?
Let’s pray this prayer based on Philippians 2:13 and Psalm 32:8 every day, if needed.
Oh Lord, I know you are faithful to Your Word, and I trust you completely. I ask You to let it be Your good pleasure to will and to work Your purposes in me. Please instruct me and teach me in the way I have to go to break out of struggle. I am willing to learn so counsel me with Your eye upon me and cause my thoughts to become agreeable to Your will. I will follow Your instructions. Amen.