Every week, my assistant, Carla, and I have the privilege of spending time with incarcerated men at our local detention center and encouraging them with the Word of God.
I’m always amazed at how the men shut off the TV, put away their tablets, grab their Bibles and a chair, and circle up to hear about God’s goodness when we enter the room, regardless of their faith level or religious affiliation.
We also inform those attending our study of available resources through our partners, like Hope is Alive (HIA), a national residential addiction recovery program.
One of the men we visited decided to apply to HIA and was accepted. He was excited about the opportunity but only had $250 of the $750 needed to enter the program. Carla and I prayed for Dyrique, reminding him that God provides for His children.
A few weeks later, Dyrique prayed to receive Jesus as His Lord and Savior during our weekly visit. I was elated and assured him that God would supply the remaining $500 he needed.
I based my promise on Philippians 4:19, which says, “This same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus” (NLT). I shared other scriptures too, like Psalm 37:25, Matthew 6:25–33, and Romans 8:28.
I must admit, though, that I was secretly devising ways to help God. I didn’t want Him to look bad. Oh, me of little faith! I sensed God telling me to hold off, and I am so glad I did. The next day, God provided for Dyrique and proved to me that He didn’t need my help to prove His faithfulness.
When the jail’s program director told Dyrique that funds had been given toward his HIA program fee, he couldn’t believe it. He even admitted that he’d been about to ask her to retract his application. He hadn’t believed God would meet his needs.
His doubts were understandable because this young man lived in jail. He had no outside financial support and couldn’t make anything happen.
I’m grateful God showed up for Dyrique and that he can attend such an excellent recovery program. I’m glad that God provided the finances just before he pulled his application. Otherwise, he would’ve missed God’s provision.
I’m also glad God provided the finances before I set my plans in motion. I’ve often gotten ahead of God with good intentions.
Through this experience, God reminded me that what I preach in jails and prisons, both in person and on corrections tablets, is true. I know it in my heart, but sometimes fear leads to doubt. God’s provision for Dyrique reminded me that no one and nothing is out of reach for my Lord (Luke 1:37).
His promise to not disappoint is for everyone (Romans 10:11). God meets all of our needs (Philippians 4:19), goes above and beyond what we imagine (Ephesians 3:20), and will give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4).
Now, I can’t promise that He will act as quickly as He did for Dyrique or that He will always answer the way you want Him to, but I will assure you that He is always working things out for your good (Romans 8:28).
Maybe you’re having a hard time staying in faith or believing for a better future. It’s not easy, I know. I’ve been walking with the Lord for decades, and as you can see, I still doubt. And that’s not good because a person who doubts receives nothing from God (James 1:6–8). Unbelief prevents Him from working in our lives (Matthew 13:58; Mark 6:5–6).
If there was ever someone who could have doubted God, it was Abraham. The man and his wife were as old as dirt when God told them they would have a son and birth a nation through that child. But Abraham didn’t doubt.
Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping, believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!”
And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.
Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. (Romans 4:18–24 NLT)
As a result, Abraham experienced God’s promises. Hebrews 11:12 (NLT) says: “A whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them.”
Did you hear that? A whole nation came from one man who was as good as dead!
How many miracles have we forfeited because we failed to believe God? How many God-answers were at our front door when we gave up or jumped ahead of Him? Let’s learn from Abraham (using Romans 4) to receive God’s provision, bring glory to Him, and positively impact our world.
Abraham kept hoping even when there was no reason to hope. A biblical hope isn’t wishy-washy. It’s knowing with certainty that God will make good on His promises, no matter what. It’s a hope that says, “God said it, I believe it, and that settles it for me.”
This kind of faith comes only as we get to know Him through His Word and by stepping out in trust and obedience. Faith is like a muscle—the more you use it, the stronger it gets.
Abraham refused to allow his circumstances to weaken his faith. He could have looked at his and Sarah’s age and said, “We’re as good as dead! There is no way we can have a child.” And in the natural, he’d have been right. But Abraham knew that God isn’t bound by the natural.
Romans 4:17 (NLT) says: “Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.” Abraham focused on the power and character of God, not his circumstances, naysayers, or feelings.
Abraham didn’t waver in believing God’s promises. To believe God’s promise means you cling to it. You hold fast to it. You refuse to give up on Him, and you don’t grab hold of anything else.
I don’t know what you need today, but God does. Keep praying (1 Thessalonians 5:17), surround yourself with faith-filled people, and dive into God’s Word. In it, you will find a treasure trove of promises.
Memorize those promises and speak them over your situation. This will strengthen your faith and help you remain thoroughly convinced that God will do whatever He promised.
Friend, God’s got you! He’s got a plan (Jeremiah 29:11), and He knows exactly when to execute it. Don’t give up. He will meet your needs.
Let’s pray: God, help me be fully convinced that You will do whatever You promise. Give me the strength and courage to keep hoping when there is no reason to hope. Help me cling to Your truth and not be swayed by circumstances, the voices in my head, or my feelings. I don’t want to rush ahead—I know that will make a mess. I don’t want to give up either. I want to see Your faithfulness. Amen.
Kristi Overton Johnson encourages and equips people for victory through her writings, speaking engagements, and prison ministry. To learn more, go to kojministries.org.
