Decades ago when we were teaching in Africa someone stole the tires and wheels off our car. It cost over a month’s salary to replace them. Needless to say I was more than a bit miffed at God who promised me in Malachi 3, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. Then I will rebuke the devourer for you.’” I kept my part of the bargain. Where was His’? I found out just one day later. We received a letter from our church’s world headquarters in Maryland. It said, “We discovered we have for the past year been underpaying you. Please find enclosed a check for the balance.” It was EXACTLY the amount needed for the new tires and wheels. Actually the tires needed to be replaced. I had a lot of crow-eating to do with God. I figure He was quite amused at my anger considering He knew “the check was in the mail.”
Ever since then I have had a special place in my heart for Isaiah 65:24, “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” I was reminded of this story this week because we just purchased something online as a present for one of our granddaughters who is graduating in two weeks. It arrived on our doorstep before we got the email saying it had been sent!
Don’t you just love being part of God’s family? Our Father is the best.
Written by Roger Bothwell on May 13, 2016
PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
rogerbothwell.org