Generous God
How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. Psalm 36:7-8
When both of my devotions were focused on the same topic, I decided I’d better take a closer look! To be honest, I have a bit of a struggle understanding abundance when people in our own town are homeless and hungry. If abundance is at the very heart of who God is, how is this possible?
There are many contributing factors that lead to poverty or homelessness. However, there are folks out there who were doing their best until their company downsized or an illness or unforeseen event changed everything. For them, abundance is only a fading shadow.
I feel like I am stepping into some deep, turbulent waters here and I am not too confident of my swimming skills, nevertheless, I am going to keep going. Stay with me. As Christians, how do we respond? When we see a need within the church body, we quickly reach out to help. What about those who are not part of our family? Out of sight-out of mind?
My devotion in All God’s Creatures introduced a cat that always brought other feral cats/critters home to eat. The food never seemed to run out and all were fully fed. Again, here is another message of miraculous abundance!
Do we have the wrong focus? Maybe it’s not so much about physical food but His banquet feast of love. His love will never run out; we can come back to His table again and again and fill up our Tupperware containers to the brim. There is still more love to be found.
Love does not fill a hungry belly! But our love for humanity can fend off hunger pangs until they are strong enough to get to the table. What am I suggesting here? Perhaps a trip to the homeless shelter or food kitchen might in order. Be ready to pray with them (not just for them). Listen to them and hear with your heart. Maybe you might have a few extra blankets to donate because it is still cold out there as the end of winter approaches. A sandwich or hot coffee would be a blessed treat.
We are His body and He is the God of abundance. So…?