A testimony of God’s provision…
Written by Nathan and Linda Snow, IM Missionary to Japan (September 2026)
For a few Sundays, I have been preaching a “hymn series,” using hymns of the faith as a catalyst to explore the truths of Scripture behind the lyrics, thoughts, or testimony.
On a recent Sunday, as I introduced the beloved hymn Blessed Assurance (translated into Japanese many decades ago), a newcomer stepped into our service just as I began to preach. She stayed until the end and eventually agreed to join us for lunch and fellowship, as is often our custom.
Let’s rewind to the night before… While planning to pick up a small iron skillet I had purchased from someone nearby who was moving, the seller asked if I would be interested in taking a couple of boxes of leftover dishes and kitchen utensils. I really wasn’t interested, but whether it was for disaster relief, a needy family, or something of the sort, I agreed to help him out and find a new home for them. I remembered this conversation with God: “God, I really don’t need one more thing to deal with these days …” But I knew enough to quickly dismiss the thought and thankfully accept.
Fast forward to Sunday, the next day… We looked at several passages of Scripture together during the sermon that fit the theme that we can be “assured” God hears our hearts when we open them to Him. Two of those passages were I John 5:11-15 and Philippians 4:4-9. In particular, these two verses are noteworthy and relevant to this story: I John 5:15, And if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. And then in Philippians 4:6, Be careful for nothing (don’t worry); but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
During lunch, we asked our new guest to share a little of her story with us. She shared that she was indeed a believer. She has two teenage sons, and as a family of three, they had just moved into an apartment building close to the church and were still getting settled.
I thought, just in case, it might be a good time to share with everyone about the extra dishes and kitchen utensils I had acquired, in case anyone knew of someone who might need them. After no one spoke up, with some hesitation (typical Asian culture), she asked if no one else really wanted or needed them, if it would be ok for her to look and see.
She then shared that they had been getting by recently without dishes and had planned on adding to her kitchen utensils as she was able. She looked through the many items to choose from and chose plates, dishes, silverware, kitchenware, and cookware with a smile on her face, and smiles in all our hearts at the living testimony of the simple goodness of God!
I sensed in her kind spirit a very strong faith, and a personal culture of relying on God for her needs … and just like that, right in front of our eyes, in a matter of a few hours, God provided abundantly more than she and her boys needed. He orchestrated all of this that day to remind us that He loves to provide for His children and to reward those who “Trust in the Lord with all their hearts…” (Proverbs 3:5).
I feel like everyone left that day with stronger faith that day, and a reminder that it is not only God’s desire, but also in our best interest, to trust God for our daily bread and look forward to each morning’s “new mercies.” To God be the glory!