Some Put Their Trust in Stockpiled Food

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. Psalm 20:7

For some time now I have been thinking about where I put my faith. I’ve always trusted in God to protect and provide for me and my family, but out on the edge of my spiritual consciousness was the thought, “Am I trusting in my food stash now instead of God?”

So this morning, again, I was pondering this, and realized my trust isn’t in my cans of albacore tuna and Ranch Style Beans. What I am trusting in is my God-given common sense. When I buy a few extra groceries, fill 2-liter bottles with water, and teach my kids what to do in emergencies, I’m following the many examples of preparedness in the Bible, from Noah to Joseph to the wise virgins mentioned in the New Testament. Even animals have God-given instincts that keep them safe from danger. Chipmunks somehow know when to start storing food for winter, and Canadian Geese evacuate their nothern homes and begin their flight south each year with impeccable timing. Sounds like preparedness to me!

Only God knows what the future holds, and in spite of our best efforts, we may find ourselves in situations we haven’t prepared for. All any of us can do is observe and evaluate worrisome warning signs, determine which crises are most likely and then pray, plan, and prepare. Go ahead and trust your common sense and instincts. They’re part of the whole package God created when He created you!

(6) Readers Comments

Emily
September 1, 2009 at 8:23 am

I LOVE this post! It's something that is on my mind a lot lately. My trust in God to care for me and my family should a need arise and how much do I trust Him to provide for us in the event of an emergency. I usually buy extra canned good when I grocery shop. I do monthly grocery shopping trips anyway, so I always buy some extra cans and stash them away. I like how you said that God's animals know when to stock up for the winter and how it's not bad for us to be that way too! Thanks for this post!
Emily

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Kimberly
September 1, 2009 at 4:44 pm

I agree. I have been pondering the same thing. We are observing the times we live in, praying and asking God to lead us. God has given us a spirit of sound mind, ie – common sense. I do not put my trust in my food pantry, knowing God could ask me to give it all away anytime. But it is there for whatever God chooses to use it for. God tells us to observe the ant. Thank you for your blog, it was just additional confirmation I needed.

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Sondra
September 3, 2009 at 2:45 pm

Beautifully said. Without our faith there is nothing. I believe in being prepared along with spiritually prepared. My trust in the Lord is key to doing what I can on my side and trusting in Him to keep us safe and strong. It's a two person process. It doesn't work if I don't do my part too.

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shari
June 4, 2011 at 1:11 pm

Yes and thank you. I am a new prepper and have been struggling with the idea of prepping as not trusting in God's provissions.

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- TheSurvivalMom
  June 4, 2011 at 1:19 pm
  
  That\’s a dilemma for a number of Christians and people of faith. If you believe that God will take care of you, then why stock up? On the other hand, both Noah and Joseph are examples of planning ahead for a disastrous future. In my opinion, to not prepare actually tests God. As in, \”There\’s a hurricane coming. I think we\’ll just sit here and trust that God will keep us safe.\” I believe in trusting AND preparing.
  
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LizLong
June 4, 2011 at 1:45 pm

I read a story awhile ago about a man in a flood zone. Local responders came and told him it was time to evacuate and he said no, the Lord will provide for me. The water came and flooded the roads and a boat came to evacuate him, and he said no, the Lord will provide for me. Then the whole house was flooded and he was on the roof and a helicopter came for him. And he said no, the Lord will provide for me. When he got to heaven, he asked the Lord why He had not provided. God said, I sent a car, a boat and a helicopter, what more do you want?

When there is a small voice in your ear that says "do this", is it not most often God speaking to you and helping you avoid a bad thing or get a good thing, even small ones? Then why should this be any different? If God is telling you that things are on the wrong course, then you can hardly be guilty of not trusting in God. If, on the other hand, you ignore that feeling and do nothing to prepare, then you surely are.

Finally, think about this: God has finally given Israel their own nation. EVERYONE there serves in the armed forced, and EVERYONE there has firearms. They trust in God, but defend with all the firepower they can muster.

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