Welsh missionary Rees Howells once left for his mission field without the funds even to catch the next train. He had been directed by God to go, but he had also been directed by God to spend current funds on immediate expenses and trust him for later ones. When an expense came up before his train trip to the coast, he emptied his pockets on the prior claim. He only had enough to get the next station and wait.
So that’s what he did. He traveled the first leg of the journey and then waited. He even stood in line at the ticket counter because, as he put it, God’s promises were as good as money in his pocket. As the line moved forward, Howells wondered what he would say when he arrived at the counter without any money. But as the last moment neared, a man in line got tired of waiting, inexplicably handed his fare to Howells in front of him, and walked away. God had provided as Howells stood expectantly in line, trusting in a promise.
That’s often how God’s provision works—in response to faith, and not a moment too soon. Not every story ends exactly that way—God has a variety of responses to our trust—but many do. And one way or another, trust is always rewarded. Faith that banks on his word will always find him faithful.
