August 5: Trusting His Provision

 

Trusting His Provision

Theme: The Lord Is My Shepherd

Scripture:
"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing." Psalm 23:1 (NIV)

Sharon Campbell-Danvers
Founder and Director

Growing up in a single-parent home with five siblings was not easy. Finances were tight, and our mother could not afford the expensive things that other children had, especially textbooks and name-brand clothes. But even in those humble circumstances, we were never hungry, and we were always well-groomed. God provided, often in quiet but miraculous ways.

I still remember how back-to-school items were typically purchased on the Saturday night before school started on Monday. We would worry, unsure if there would be anything new for us. One year, my mother bought me a pair of leather shoes. They were sturdy, with slightly raised heels and a bottom that resembled cheese. I hated those shoes. I kicked them and scuffed them, hoping they would fall apart—but to my frustration, they lasted almost two full school years.

In those moments, I did not see the blessing. But now, I recognize that it was God's provision. New items were rare, but when they came, they were meaningful. God was teaching us contentment, gratitude, and endurance.

More than anything, life taught us to work hard and value education. It became our way forward. Our faith, nurtured by our grandmother through church attendance, grew steadily. She instilled in us the truth that Jesus would never leave or forsake us. And in time, we came to know that for ourselves.

We saw how God cared for us like a shepherd watching over His sheep. Even when we lived with stepparents and felt the sting of unequal treatment, His protection never failed. He shielded us emotionally, mentally, and spiritually—reminding us that He was always near.

Psalm 23:1 is not just a comforting verse—it is a lived reality. When God is your Shepherd, you truly lack nothing of eternal value. His provision may not always come in the form you expect, but it is always timely, always sufficient, and always good.

Reflection Questions:

1. Can you identify a time when God provided in a way you did not recognize until later?

2. How have your hardships shaped your understanding of God's provision?

3. In what ways can you encourage someone else who may feel overlooked or forgotten?

Prayer:

Father, thank You for being my Shepherd. Even in lean times, You never failed me. You saw my needs before I could name them and supplied exactly what was necessary. Help me to trust in Your provision, even when it looks different from what I expect. Remind me daily that I lack nothing because I have You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.