'Commitment' is something that employers demand of us. But we also expect them to be committed to us, in providing wages or salary, reasonable working conditions and various benefits. In times of recession, we may wonder if they can keep their side of the employment bargain, when the customers may evaporate and the business overheads make it difficult to balance the books. However, God has no such limitations (Luke 1:37). Whatever happens, He is still God and is fully about to do whatever He determines and promises (Romans 4:18-21).

God is not restricted by our circumstances or the reactions of other people (Matthew 9:28-33). He does not have to borrow to maintain enough provision for all, because He owns everything and has unlimited resources. His generosity is not restrained by our poor moral-credit rating, and He never tires of working with us, and putting His power within us. His provision always exceeds our requests either in quantity or quality (or both), and His generosity is never capped by our limited imagination to ask for the best. This is the God who never changes (Malachi 3:6) and fully intends to amaze and astound us so that we will give Him the glory He deserves (2 Peter 1:3).

These verses are for us to believe and then take action. When we do not believe that God is as generous as He is great, our prayers become shrivelled to the limits of what we think is possible. When we think that God is limited like us, or unwilling to bless us, then we often try to achieve for ourselves what only He can do for us – and some become bitterly disappointed with the Lord when their plans or power fail. The right action is to pray in faith according to what God has promised, and to work in faith expecting that He will supply the resources as they are needed (Philippians 4:19). The consequence of praying, walking and working in faith is that we see the hand of God and give Him glory – stirring the church to trust Him more and more; and praise Him more and more too.

If such a Person has committed Himself to us, never to walk out on us or drop us in the downturn, should we not be confident? His commitment to us precedes, and far exceeds, ours to Him (1 John 4:19). The stories of His astonishingly generous actions ring through the generations and will fill heaven (Revelation 4:9-11). But what about today? Even if our circumstances change, He never will. So, this is a great day to give thanks for all we have received and all that is going to come from His hand. It is also a great day to be confident in the Lord. That confidence is the mark of secure relationship. So, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths." (NLT) (Proverbs 3:5-6)