TRUST GOD AND ACT WISELY
Today’s Text: He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. (Proverbs 16:20)
Today’s Thoughts: Today’s text is pretty simple to understand and shows obvious outcomes. If we handle situations wisely we will have good outcomes. If we trust in the Lord we will be happy. If we do both we will be even better off. There are times when we need to leave our problems totally in God’s hands, and there are times that God wants us to use the wisdom He has blessed us with to sort out a problem as well as trusting Him to do His part. If we do this, we will truly be happy.
Today’s Testimony: In South Africa there is such poverty that the poverty stricken will come and look through the trash bins or bags that are waiting for collection to find food or anything else of value. Here in Australia, the poor are looked after and have no need to search through rubbish. Australia is also very much a “throw away” society: if you don’t want it – throw it away. Twice a year we have what is known as “hard waste collection” in which all abnormal rubbish like appliances, furniture, household accessories, tools and toys etc. are put out for collection and then a big truck comes along and these items are collected and crushed, no matter what condition they are in. I think this is one of the most disturbing things I’ve seen in Australia, especially coming from South Africa where poverty is everywhere. But the unwanted goods have to be disposed of somehow I suppose. The more calming part about it is that people do go around and see if there is anything of worth to them and therefore save a lot of the truly valuable items.
Anyway, to get back to our washing machine… One evening while sitting having supper, my step-dad mentioned that he’d seen a washing machine thrown out for collection the day before. We all said, “Why didn’t you go get it?!” And so he did. It was still there and it was brought home. This was one of the items that had been thrown out exceptionally early. A few days later when he had a chance, my step-dad tried it to see if it worked. It seemed ok, until it came time to spin. The pump had seen the last of its days. We figured it was all excitement for nothing, but then the Lord gave me an idea and I asked if the pump for our washing machine was the same size. The two washing machines were the same make but this one was bigger. My step-dad looked and said it possibly would fit. Finally he had our pump out and in the “new” machine. Then it was time to test it. It all seemed ok at first, but then water started leaking out the bottom where the screws fitted in. We once again thought it was premature joy. But then the Lord impressed my step-dad to turn the pump and use some other holes on it for the screws instead, which he did. Now we have a bigger, better (metal drum as opposed to our plastic one), working washing machine. God is so good! We needed to trust Him and then work wisely with the wisdom He has given us and then we were truly happy. God sustained us for a while and then intervened.
Today’s Task: Trust God no matter what it is you need. Pray for wisdom and then be sure to use it. God wants us to be wise – not with the type of wisdom the world promotes, but with true wisdom that we can only acquire from God. Leave your problems and concerns at His feet and then listen for His direction if He has a part for you to do. God always knows what is best.
Today’s Thanks: Dear Lord, I thank You that You can sustain us and also intervene when we need help. I thank You that You grant us wisdom to do what we need to do to fix the problems. I praise You that You are a powerful God who does not need our help, but also that You give us the privilege to be a part of Your miracles sometimes too. I thank You that You care about us so much and long to make us truly happy. I praise You. Amen.
