Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Wednesday, July 8, 2020

"The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?"¹

If you have ever been to a circus and watched the high-flying trapeze artists perform their seemingly death-defying acts, you will have undoubtedly thrilled with the exhilaration of their performance and their split-second timing. I think I'd be a nervous wreck if they didn't have a safety net below to catch them should they fall.

If I had to do that (especially without a net) I'd be absolutely terrified. Will I be able to reach my partner? Will he be able to catch me? Or will I crash and be hurt or even killed?

Sometimes life can be somewhat like that. I've been there on occasion and you probably have too. Life or work as you knew it suddenly ended. Perhaps you lost a spouse, or your marriage fell apart, or you lost your job and income. You feel as if you are out there in mid-air and have no idea where you are going to land or if you are going to crash. It can be very scary and even terrifying.

I've been involved in Christian ministry for five decades and have always been responsible for raising my own support and that of my staff and our entire ministry's operating expenses. It's quite a challenge. With recessions and other financial setbacks over the years we have lost a lot of support. At one time I really thought we were going to crash. I was scared and one morning when praying, I fell asleep and had a very vivid dream. In the dream I heard a voice clearly say, "Philippians 4:18 makes sense to me."

I awakened and immediately opened my Bible to Philippians 4:18.

It read, "I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God." And the very next verse read, "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."²

In my heart I knew that somehow God would provide. My mind was at peace. God did provide. He didn't or doesn't hand it on a silver platter, but He still does provide and our ministry continues and has become more effective than ever.

God is my safety net. Without Him life at times could be terrifying.

I'm also reminded of King David who, when the Philistine enemy seized him in Gath, wrote, "When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?"³

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to learn how to trust You as David did—not only when all is going well—but also when my world seems to be falling apart and I am afraid. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Psalm 27:1 (NIV).
2. Philippians 4:18-19 (NIV).
3. Psalm 56:3-4 (NIV).

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