God Works for Us
in Times of Crisis

As the world faces financial crisis in this day, which is affecting all our lives, we, as believers in Christ, can take encouragement by the promises of our God.

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" 2 Corinthians 9:8.

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" Phil.4:19.

Whatever crisis we may face in life, God is faithful. Many examples are given in His Word to reveal how He does it:

Crisis No. 1 - A Financial Crisis

Peter had a financial crisis. Challenged by the temple tax collectors, he needed to pay his taxes.

"After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, 'Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?' 'Yes, he does,' he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. 'What do you think, Simon?' he asked. 'From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own sons or from others?' 'From others,' Peter answered. 'Then the sons are exempt,' Jesus said to him. 'But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a fourdrachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours'" Matthew 17:24-27.

Peter was a fisherman and Jesus’ answer was - the coin is in the fish’s mouth. In an impossible situation, the Lord worked a miracle in the very occupation that Peter had. In obedience to the Lord, Peter went fishing. The fish he caught had picked up a coin from the seabed and had it in its mouth - the exact amount needed for the payment of the tax.

God has many ways to meet our need. He has called us to expect miracles. Jesus said in Luke 18:27, "'What is impossible with men is possible with God'"

Crisis No.2 - A Fearful Storm

In the midst of a situation that was very common to the disciples - in a boat on the lake - a tremendous storm begins to blow, the winds and the waves so rough they were in real danger.

"Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!" He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!" Matthew 8:24-27.

Storms of circumstances many times come in the midst of our familiar situations. Sometimes it seems that the Lord is "asleep". But He is there with us and as we call on Him, in the midst of the "storm", He is there to answer with a miracle.

Crisis No. 3 - A Desperate Need

When all else fails, and there seems no hope, the Lord is there with the answer.

"As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. 'Who touched me?' Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, 'Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.' But Jesus said, 'Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.' Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace'." Luke 8:40-48.

This desperate woman had thought in her heart, "If only can touch the hem of His garment I know I will be healed”. Nothing would deter her. On her hands and knees she crawled on the dusty road through the legs of the crowds packing around Jesus. Great faith was in action.

Crisis No. 4 - A Great Depression

Israel was in drought, resulting in a great depression. Food and water were scarce.

"Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. Then the word of the LORD came to him: 'Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food.' So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, 'Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?' As she was going to get it, he called, 'And bring me, please, a piece of bread.' 'As surely as the LORD your God lives,' she replied, 'I don't have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.' Elijah said to her, 'Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.' She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah" 1 Kings 17:7-16.

The widow was in great need but she believed the promise of the Lord. Her act of obedience despite the crisis she was facing resulted in a wonderful miracle of provision.>

Principles to Learn in Crisis Times

There are many, many more accounts of the Lord miraculously working in the impossible situations of people's lives. From the four mentioned above we can learn the principles of how to see God work on our behalf.

* He uses what we have
* Call on Him for His help
* Faith will not be deterred
* Obey His Word

Hebrews 7:25 declares that the Lord Jesus "...is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them." A derivative of the word "intercession" "intervention". In these critical days, Lord has promised to intervene on our behalf no matter what crisis or challenge we face.

To God be the Glory!

For the OBC Team