“...and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
Malachi 3:10
Financial Crisis
I found myself in an unfortunate crisis many years ago during my very first semester as a college freshman. I had been told by a financial aid advisor that I didn’t qualify for aid and was seeking to speak to the Director of Financial Services to see what could be done. However, I was told by his secretary that he was completely booked and I should come back closer to the end of the semester. This would have left many students anxious and frustrated, but not me. I had a secret weapon: faith!
Not long before graduating high school I began a much deeper, more faithful, and trusting relationship with our Savior Jesus. I trusted Him implicitly and believed in His every promise that I found written in the Word of God. For instance, I took to heart His words in Matthew 6:34: “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.” And this verse propelled me forward in my freshman year financial aid crisis.
I had always believed it was God’s plan for me to attend college. Although I had no idea where the funds would come from, I had no worries because I knew without a shadow of a doubt that God was in FULL control of my life. So, undaunted by the money problems, I moved forward to apply and register for classes. I was undeterred by the advisor who stated I was not qualified and in fact, wasn’t even concerned! I kept firmly believing that God had a plan for my life, and that plan included me going to college. He would provide a way.
After the Director’s secretary stated he had no availability to see me, I sat down in the waiting area wondering how God was going to work out this mess of a situation. I whispered a prayer in my heart and was getting ready to walk out when suddenly I heard a student call out "Mr. Daniels." I perked up and stood next to that student to get a chance to speak with Mr. Daniels, Director of Financial Services. When my opportunity came, I asked if I could please schedule an appointment to see him because I was registered for school but had no funds. To my surprise, he told me to come back the next afternoon. I was amazed! I had just been told by his secretary he had no availability for quite some time and now I had an appointment with the Director of Financial Services in less than 24 hours! God was working it out!
When I got home I called my pastor's wife and she prayed with me and she committed to continuing to pray for me. I had a peaceful night's rest. The next day I went to my appointment and after Mr. Daniels was done reviewing my situation, I was given full financial aid that covered all expenses, tuition, books, and all I would need for four years of college! I gave praise and thanks to God for not only providing but far exceeding my expectations! A young me believed and claimed God's promise to provide for my every need (Philippians 4:19), not wavering in my trust and faith and He rewarded my faith!
Call to Action
God did it for me and He will do it for you. He is our Father and the world is His and the fullness thereof. I shudder to think what would have happened if I didn't persist in prayer and in action. What would have happened if I took the word of the financial adviser who denied me funds, or the secretary who told me to come back at the end of the semester? I believed that He who promised would deliver.
God is asking you to strengthen your faith and ask in faith, not wavering. “For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed” (James 1:6). God invites you to experience how great and mighty He is. He doesn't just meet our expectations, He exceeds them!
All scripture taken from the King James Version.
