“Through it all, through it all, I have learned to trust in Jesus; I have learned to trust in God.”

So goes that fine Andrae Crouch chorus, reminding me that in every situation, I have yet to see God fail. I have failed, schemes have failed, half-hearted dreams have failed but I have never, ever, been disappointed whenever I have truly trusted Jesus.

Time and time again, I have seen unplanned, unforeseen, unexpected deliverance, providence and provision. Even in those times when my own hope has flagged, when depression descends into despondency and the blues turn charcoal gray, things work out. A check arrives in the mail, a friendly voice greets me on the phone and some other hand reaches down beside mine, takes a firmer grasp and lifts my heart and my load.

How often, O Lord, have I doubted, wondered whether my deliverance would come a day late and a dollar short and found that like David, though I am no longer young, I have never been forsaken, never begged for bread?

How fine to see the mercy that lifts me, spares me, eases me through the deepest darkness and finds me standing in the vapor of a lifting fog, safe, anchored to Him who does not change! How wonderful the grace that carries me further than seems possible, that supplies all that I lack, all that I long for, all that I need! Escaping the deceit of my greed and my longing for the things of this earth, I find that I am richly supplied, having more than I dreamed, more than I deserve. How much more than food and clothing! How ridiculous in this abundance to crave more!

Help me, O God, to escape the illusions of this world’s cravings and be satisfied by your righteousness, your love, your caring. Help me to steward that which I have so that in my abundance others may have more and in my lacking, I shall be overfilled.

That your name might be blessed.

H. Arnett
12-02-09