|
Viewpoint from Colin Wooden 22/10/2021
 Colin Wooden
Elder, Bethel Gospel Hall
and
volunteer at the Great Yarmouth Seafarers Centre
Food and all that
It doesn't seem so long ago that the media were reporting the fact about tons of food being 'skipped' because it was slightly beyond its 'sell-by-date' or over ordered by the stores. Now we are being told that within a few days there could be serious shortages. The spiralling energy prices, we are told, is having a 'knock-on' effect on the production of co2, which is used in the preparation and preservation of many food items, and may soon result in some supermarket shelves being empty. And so it goes on!
 It is good to have a healthy concern about the situation, and to pray about it, but should we be over worried and anxious? When we trace through the scriptures we discover that the Lord was more than a match for any crisis
The Israelites in the wilderness, instead of trusting the Lord, complained, "Can God spread a table in the desert?" And, "Can He also give us food? Can He supply meat for His people?" God proved in a remarkable way that He was more than able to meet their need with the manna and the quails, in spite of their grumblings. Elijah, together with a widow and her son, during a time of extreme drought, experienced God's amazing provision for them. In the New Testament, the disciples found, that after a hard night's work fishing, and catching nothing, Jesus provided for them a massive catch of fish, and had breakfast ready for them on the beach when they came ashore
 So, if it is good to have a healthy concern, do our best to provide for our own and help others when and where we can, what should our underlying attitude be? In the so called 'sermon on the mount', Jesus told His hearers "…your Father knows what you need before you ask Him". Nothing ever catches the Lord by surprise, nor is there ever a situation that He is not in control of. To finish, here are three quotes from Paul in Philippians chapter 4
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God". Then he goes on to say, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry". His final word to those Christians was, "My God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus"
also published in the Great Yarmouth Mercury
The views carried here are those of the author, not necessarily of Network Yarmouth, and are intended to stimulate constructive and good-natured debate between website users
We welcome your thoughts and comments, posted below, upon the ideas expressed here
Click here to read our forum and comment posting guidelines
|
|
|
|
