Only Trust 只要相信

[Dexu Xia]

Only Trust

So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 1 Kings 17:15

Three hundred children were dressed and seated for breakfast, and a prayer of thanks was offered for the food. But there was no food! Situations like this were not unusual for orphanage director and missionary George Mueller (1805–1898). Here was yet another opportunity to see how God would provide. Within minutes of Mueller’s prayer, a baker who couldn’t sleep the night before showed up at the door. Sensing that the orphanage could use the bread, he had made three batches. Not long afterward, the town milkman appeared. His cart had broken down in front of the orphanage. Not wanting the milk to spoil, he offered it to Mueller.

It’s normal to experience bouts of worry, anxiety, and self-pity when we lack resources essential to our well-being—food, shelter, health, finances, friendships. First Kings 17:8–16 reminds us that God’s help can come through unexpected sources like a needy widow. “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug” (v. 12). Earlier it was ravens that provided for Elijah (vv. 4–6). Concerns for our needs to be met can send us searching in many directions. A clear vision of God as the Provider who has promised to supply our needs can be liberating. Before we seek solutions, may we be careful to seek Him first. Doing so can save us time, energy, and frustration.

What’s been your experience when you’ve focused on securing provision before seeking the Provider in prayer? What current needs will you bring before God?

Father, sharpen my vision of You as the Provider for all my needs. Forgive me for times I have futilely sought to find my way without seeking You first.

只要相信

她和她家中的人并以利亚，吃了许多日子。—列王纪上17章15节

三百个孩子衣着整洁地坐在餐桌前，对着空荡荡的杯盘为早餐作谢饭祷告。这种情境在乔治 · 慕勒牧师（George Mueller，1805-1898年）所创办的孤儿院里并不稀奇，然而这次他们又看到上帝的供应。就在慕勒牧师向上帝祷告的几分钟内，有位面包店老板突然来按门铃。这个老板前一晚彻夜难眠，总感觉孤儿院需要面包，就烤了三批送过来。几分钟后，出现一个送牛奶的人。他的车子正巧在孤儿院门口故障了，为避免浪费，就把一车的牛奶送给慕勒牧师。

当我们缺乏食物、住所、健康、金钱和友谊等生活必要的资源时，不免感到忧愁、焦虑和自怜。列王纪上17章2-16节提醒我们，上帝先前是差派乌鸦供应以利亚的需要（4-6节），后来上帝又再次出人意料地让贫穷的寡妇供应他。虽然这个寡妇“没有饼，坛内只有一把面，瓶里只有一点油”（12节），上帝却让她能供应以利亚的需要。我们有时为了满足生活所需而四处奔波，但若明白上帝是最伟大的供应者，祂已承诺会供应一切，我们就可以从焦虑中得着释放。在寻求解决之道前，让我们先恳切地寻求上帝。当我们学会仰望上帝，就不必白白耗费时间与心力，也不致感到灰心沮丧。

天父，求祢让我更清楚看见祢是一切所需的供应主。
求祢赦免我时常只靠自己而没有先寻求祢。

你曾否为生活奔波而忘记先祈求上帝的供应？
结果如何？现在你要为哪些需要求告上帝呢？