” If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? “Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” Psalm 50:12-15
The above verses bring a smile to my soul, especially verse 12; “if I were hungry, I would not tell you…” and pair those words with the attached photo. When was the last time that your family was hungry and there was nothing in the house to eat so you gathered them up and headed over to Madame Linda’s bakery to purchase some dirt cakes? If I was a child and knew that is where my mom was heading to purchase some cakes to fill my burning stomach pains, I would probably just remain quiet and suffer through the aches in my gut. And where are the choices that we “must” have? Dirt cakes, clay cakes or sifted sand cakes? Having your child in a Christian school in Haiti with a Trinity HOPE feeding program is a dual blessing. Your child is learning and growing spiritually stronger in Christ and receives a hot nutritious meal that builds their body physically. We give thanks for the opportunity to bless others. I am closing today with the words from the hymn, How Can I Thank Thee, Lord, that were written by David Denicke in 1648.
“How can I thank Thee, Lord, for all Thy loving kindness that Thou hast patiently borne with me in my blindness? When dead in many sins and trespasses I lay, I kindled, holy God, Thine anger every day.
It is Thy work alone that I am now converted; o'er Satan's work in me Thou hast Thy power asserted. Thy mercy and Thy grace that rise afresh each morn have turned my stony heart into a heart new-born.
I could but grieve Thee, Lord, and with my sins displease Thee; yet to atone for sin my works could not appease Thee. Though I could fall from grace and choose the way of sin, I had no strength to rise, a new life to begin.
But Thou hast raised me up to joy and exultation and clearly shown the way that leads me to salvation. My sins are washed away, for this I thank thee, Lord; and with my heart and soul all dead works are abhorred.
Grant that Thy Spirit's help to me be always given lest I should fall again and lose the way to heaven; that He may give me strength in mine infirmity and e'er renew my heart to serve Thee willingly.
Oh, guide and lead me, Lord, while here below I wander that I may follow Thee till I shall see Thee yonder. For if I led myself, I soon would go astray; but if Thou leadest me, I keep the narrow way.
O Father, God of Love, hear Thou my supplication; O Savior, Son of God, grant me Thy full salvation; and Thou, O Holy Ghost, be Thou my faithful Guide that I may serve Thee here and there with Thee abide.”
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen