Faith's refuge

Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

The other day, I woke in a panic. I realized I had misjudged when a bill would fall and was unsure if there would be money in the right account to cover it. I'd been praying for peace, and for a provision of some sort, but I couldn't push the fear aside. But then, I woke, and above my panic, the above verse played itself over in my head just out of the blue, and the peace was there, and the bill didn't fall until the next day, when the money was there to cover it. 

The work I do is a ministry. It's not easy and the pay is not great, but something I've learned over the years is that God takes care of those who serve Him; those who take refuge in Him, if you will. There is a joy to be had in watching the Heavenly Father provide, and when you work in any kind of ministry He has to provide a lot. 

Earlier in the same passage, the psalmist writes:

I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
    he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;
    their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
    he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
    and he delivers them.

This promise is huge! I've seen it again and again. If we are faithful, God's provision is vast. Working in any sort of ministry can require seat of the pants faith, but God loves us so much and is such a great deliverer, He rewards that faith and sends his angels to protect us. It's so amazing to live in the middle of God's provision.

This isn't anything like the "God wants you to be rich" message some folks preach. No, it's a "God wants you to rely on Him," message. Do His will, trust in His grace, and He will provide.