One Coin Left, and a Cup of Cocoa

“The Lord will provide.” — from Genesis 22

In the city of Ningpo, Hudson and his friend Mr. Jones fed breakfast to about seventy poor people every single day. On their wall hung two little signs to remind them who paid for it all. One said, “The Lord has helped us all the way.” The other said, “The Lord will provide.”

One morning they were down to a single tiny coin — worth less than a penny. They decided to go and sell their iron stove to buy food. But when they set out, they found the bridge across the river had washed away in the night! The little ferry-boat cost two coins, and they had only one. So they turned back home, empty-handed.

At home they discovered a little packet of cocoa. They mixed it with hot water and drank it, and it gave them just enough strength to keep going. And then — while they were still on their knees praying — a letter arrived from England. Inside was money, sent by a friend far away who had no idea how much it was needed that very morning.

God did not send it a day early. But he did not send it a moment too late, either. “The Lord will provide” turned out to be perfectly true.

God gives us what we need for today, right when we need it. You can trust him for your “daily bread,” too.

Dear God, thank you that you provide exactly what I need, right on time. Help me trust you one day at a time. Amen.