God@Work: Nate Crouch

Over the next several weeks, we will be sharing how the Lord is working specifically in the lives of a few people in our church family during this unprecedented time. Our hope is that these stories give glory to God and spur us on. While the story is still unfolding and we may not know exactly what the Lord is doing, we want to encourage each other to look to Him.

GOD@WORK

by Nate Crouch

“How are we going to live?”

That was the first thought that popped into my mind when the Governor recommended that everyone shelter in place. My job depends on people gathering together! But almost immediately, I remembered all the times that God faithfully supplied for every need my family and I have ever had. My faith has grown, leading me to this moment where my faith needs to continue growing. The first part of the year is usually the slowest part of my year. This year, I had a crazy busy first quarter. God knew what we needed before we even knew what we needed.

My wife and I have had conversations with our girls (ages 7 and 5) on what is going on, using this uncertain time to allow them to have their faith grown along with ours as God provides. We pray together as a family, thanking God for His provision and asking that He continue to provide.

I can’t help but think of the Israelites in the desert. God could have said a lot of things, but He chose to reveal himself to them and remind them of His past provision.

“I am the LORD your God who brought you up out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage” (Exodus 2:1).

I am reminded that God is first and foremost concerned about my relationship with Him. He wants to use this time to refine my family and me, and build our faith as we trust Him to provide. It’s easy to get in a routine and forget that it’s God who provides for even my most basic needs. It’s when everything is taken away that my heart is exposed for its true belief, in my abilities, in hard work and in my circumstances.

In Deuteronomy 8:17–18 God says, “Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth…”

At some point, this will be a memory of how God supplied everything we need just as He promised He would in Philippians 4:19, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus”.

With it looking like things won’t be back to “normal” for quite some time, this is exactly the reminder I need for the coming months of uncertainty. He’s provided thus far and I know that He will continue to provide for our family during this very uncertain time. That doesn’t mean I won’t have doubts or worries. Doubts will come, of that I am certain. But as a family, we will continue to turn to God and thank Him for all He’s done and as Philippians 4:6 says, make our request known to God.

Some trust in governments and some in stimulus checks, but we will trust in the name of the LORD our God (Psalm 20:7 with some liberties).