With God, an ocean of unfathomable possibilities exists right behind us; all we need to do is turn around for a new perspective.
If the late Cajun chef and beloved humorist, Justin E. Wilson, could see “provision” spelled as “preauxvision,” he would most likely enthusiastically exclaim, “Hoo-wee, dat’s sum unexpected Cajun flavoring mixed right in there, I gah-rown-tee (guarantee)!”
True to his love for preparing Cajun cuisine, Mr. Wilson once told the Associated Press, “Cajun cooking is the ability to take what you have and create a good dish and season it right.” Or, put another way, in the hands of someone who knows what they’re doing, even the most improbable ingredients prepared with the proper seasoning in just the right way can make your taste buds get up and dance.
“Blessings sometimes show up in unrecognizable disguises. ” Janette Oke
And so it also is with God’s unexpected provision in our lives. Indeed, the Lord is capable of making the unlikely, the seemingly impossible, happen. He is, after all, the Master Chef of all creation.
“But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 (NKJV)
Using just the right seasonings of His mercy, grace, wisdom, and love, our Heavenly Father can take all of our circumstances and create something good out of them. Even those that appear to be utterly hopeless and bewildering from our perspective.
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” Psalm 34:8 (NKJV)
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” Genesis 50:20 (NKJV)
Let me share a story of an unlikely provision in my life from last year amid the pandemic with you.
If you’ve read my bio, you’re already aware my business partner and I began a start-up oil and gas exploration business a few years ago. Although our goal is simple, the pile of bones of many who have gone before us testifies how truly challenging it is. Our task is to identify drilling locations with the hopes of ultimately finding and producing an economic accumulation of oil. Each barrel of oil found and sold becomes the lifeblood that provides the revenue stream we need to survive.
So, how have we done? In the three to four years we’ve been in business so far, we’ve been abysmally unsuccessful in this endeavor. To date, we have produced zero barrels of oil despite our best efforts, which have been bathed in unceasing prayer by myself and many others along the way. I can assure you this was not how I imagined or expected things to go believing that we would be successful within the first year or so. In short, our prayers seemingly went unanswered, much to everyone’s growing dismay. But, oh, this is where it gets exciting in the face of such outwardly disappointing results.
“May we be strengthened with the understanding that being blessed does not mean that we shall always be spared all the disappointments and difficulties of life.” Heber J. Grant
Last year due to the pandemic, oil commodity prices plummeted to less than zero, hitting a record low of around -$38.00 per barrel.
Following that unbelievable oil price collapse, I wondered how we could ever possibly survive this historical low point for the industry. However, my anxious thoughts were suddenly brought to a screeching halt by a staggering realization that raced triumphantly through my mind. Simply put, it dawned on me that had all our prayers been answered according to our expectations and desires, everything would’ve come crashing down around us, abruptly ending in bankruptcy. You see, there would’ve been no way our fledgling company could have financially survived taking an extended negative price hit on selling our oil. But, astonishingly, because we had no production during the price crash, we lost nothing and were able to continue to stay in business. How crazy is this turn of events?
“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” Corrie Ten Boom
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
Gone were my aching questions about why our prayers for success had gone unanswered. Suddenly my doubts and fears disappeared and gave way to words of praise for Him for this unexpected form of provision. In an instant, the Lord used a shocking turn of events to lead me to thank Him for not answering my prayers according to my expectations but instead for answering them His way. Friends, there’s no other way to say it, but, “Dat’s sum dance-and- praise-worthy preauxvision as only the Lord can provide, I gah-rown-tee!”
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NKJV)
“He calms the storm, so that its waves are still. 30 Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven.” Psalm 107:29-30 (NKJV)
Gratefully, He is exceedingly superior to me in every way. Amen? Amen!
“O Lord, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, For You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.” Isaiah 25:1 (NKJV)
“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.” Psalm 30:11-12 (NKJV)
Lord, I’ll trust in You with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding. In all my ways I’ll acknowledge You, and You’ll direct my paths. You alone know best because Your ways are higher than my ways, and Your thoughts are higher than my thoughts. Without faith it’s impossible to please You, so I’ll draw near to You and believe that You reward those who seek You. God, You call me blessed because I have not seen, yet I still believe. You always keep Your promises, and You don’t change like shifting shadows. You’re my dwelling place, my helper, my strength, and my defense. You are mighty, robed in majesty, armed with strength, compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love. You made the heavens, formed the dry land, and Your renown endures through all generations. You won’t slumber but will watch over my life. You fashioned the ear, formed the eye, and determine the number of stars and call them each by name. God, You are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last, and there is no one in all the world like You. (YouVersion original devotional, Praying God’s Truth Over My Fears)
He is by Crowder from the album “Milk and Honey.”
ONE's upon my time 