Claiming God’s Faithfulness – Moving To Timaru

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24

Talking about God’s faithfulness, what comes to mind right away is one of my favourite hymns, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”. Indeed, we have the faithful God who fulfils His promise.

Jesus’ statement in Mark 11:24 is compelling. He is telling his disciples to have faith. For me, there’s no greater power than praying and believing that Jesus Christ will faithfully deliver what you are asking for.

The verse is not just a simple positive statement designed to encourage someone in dire need. There is power to the statement because first, Jesus Christ said it and second, what Jesus says is true.

Our transfer to Timaru is one faith journey full of answered prayers. As there are plenty of stories to tell, let me share two instances of answered prayers.

The “Good Samaritan” of Lincoln

When David, one of our home group leaders, volunteered to take us to Auckland airport. He asked who would pick up and drive us from Christchurch Airport to Timaru. We appreciate David’s offer, which is also another answered prayer.

I told him that we met a Filipino couple at the Auckland Airport when we went to Timaru on July 31 for my wife’s job interview. When they learned that we were moving to Timaru, they volunteered to pick us up at Christchurch airport. They live in Lincoln.

On August 13, as I was helping Pastor Colin and Tony load our furniture on the trailer, my mobile phone rang.

It was the Filipino who offered to help us. He affirmed his commitment to take us from Christchurch Airport to Timaru. I told him that our flight was on Tuesday.

Towards late afternoon, Jewel got a call from her employer that they had arranged a car rental for us. I phoned our kababayan (fellowmen) about the development and thanked him for his offer of help.

I thank and praise God for His overwhelming support and provision.

A favourable car exchange

While on the plane to Christchurch on 14 August 2012, I couldn’t help but think about the number of baggage we were bringing.

After learning that our bulk of things would arrive in Timaru a week later, we brought along things we needed upon arrival at our place.

As the car rental reserved a subcompact car for us, I’m pretty sure that we would be fully loaded. Well, I just prayed for God’s travelling mercy and resolved to drive slowly and surely.

We approached the Avis Car Rental desk at Christchurch Airport with our two trolleys of baggage. We were much surprised when the Avis woman asked if it was okay if we took a Toyota Highlander to Timaru instead of the subcompact reserved for us.

She explained that the Toyota Highlander needed to be returned to Timaru.

She assured us that we would be charged the same rate and there would be no more return fee for the car.

I could only utter my thanksgiving and praises after realizing how the Lord God Almighty facilitated our specific needs in moving to Timaru.

Indeed, great is your faithfulness, O Lord! We bring all our prayers to You, asking and claiming your significant commitment.

Again, to our brothers and sisters in Christ, thank you for your prayers and support.

 

PHOTO CREDIT: South Island, New Zealand by Karl Hipolito. The image has been cropped and resized to fit the website’s requirements.