If we are true followers of Christ and learning from Him, then we must learn what it means to truly depend upon the Lord. For if we do not then we will find our life is not what we claim it to be.

Christ said

³⁷ “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! ³⁸ See! Your house is left to you desolate; ³⁹ for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ” (Mat. 23:37-39)

Even as He wanted to bring those of the Jewish faith into His loving embrace, so He does want us to be there as well. There have been many times in which the Lord kept me and my family under His wing. I want to share how the Lord recently kept us safe, under His wing.

I have a part time craft business with my wife. We often sell at small craft shows and farmer’s markets. It’s a way for us to get out and meet different people and be available to minister to others in the Lord as He leads. By the way, I will not be connecting or announcing what it is I do because I am not here to profit monetarily. I want to separate my craft from this ministry. God’s Truth is free and will remain that way with this servant.

I was calling a craft show promoter to inquire about a show later in the year. It just so happened that they had a spot open for the upcoming weekend if I wanted to join.  It was local in a large auditorium with around 200 vendors. It is widely advertised. Thousands of people attend. The entry cost was reasonable at $200.00. Many shows of this size charge about $500.00 or more. After a day of consideration my wife and I decided to go ahead and give it a try.

This show ran 8 hours Saturday and 7 hours Sunday. So we were excited and hopeful that we could sell more than a few items, make rent and pay a few bills. But as humble servants we never pray for more than God allows. Even if our flesh desires it.

So the first day we sat there for hours with many people excited about what we had to offer. But no one was buying. We didn’t sell anything until mid-afternoon. It was a $40 item my wife had made. That was it for Saturday. We were told attendance for that day was about 3,500 people.

Sunday came and we renewed our hope for a better day and that we could serve the Lord in some way. But we also prayed to the Lord and asked that we could at least make booth rent. Attendance was much lower. I would guess it was less than half of what it was the previous day.

By mid afternoon my wife sold a $10 item and a $30 item. In our booth my wife has her items and I have mine and our sales are separate. I had paid for the booth out of my craft account. So if your paying attention. My wife had sold a few things and I had sold nothing.

So here we are in the last hour. I was coming back from walking around while the wife tended the booth. It was about 3:05. I found my wife helping a customer who wanted to buy one of my products but couldn’t decide which one. After some discussion we were able to help her decide and the purchase was made. Well, one better than none right?

So now it’s five minutes till close down and I go to get the cart so we can start packing up. When I get back there is one more customer ready to buy another $130 item. We were able to help this customer with a buying decision at the last minute of the last hour. Amazing! Praise Jesus!

This was not a time for us to be strong witnesses, but it was a time to learn dependence upon Him. There are many Scriptures where the Lord tells us how to depend on Him. Here’s one.

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. ² Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³ You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

⁵ “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷ If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. ⁸ By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. (John 15:1-8)

But seek not according to your own will brethren!

Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? ² You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. ³ You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. ⁴ Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. ⁵ Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?

⁶ But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:

“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”

⁷ Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ⁹ Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. (James 4:1-10)

Yes, we are hidden under the wings of God by the blood of Christ. He loves us and wants us to depend solely upon Him. If we are depending upon Him then He shows us what is true, false and what He allows in our life.

⁷ “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. ⁹ Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? ¹¹ If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! ¹² Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Mat. 7:7-12)

As I seek to serve the Lord I pray that you are as well. Blessings in Christ Jesus!