July 25, 2021: He Gives Us Grace to Trust

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5–6, NKJV).

This text became especially significant to our family when we planned
to move from Nigeria to the United States, where I was to study in the seminary at Andrews University (Mich.). I applied for a visa for myself, my wife and our little boy. Well-meaning people shared horror stories with us of their visa application denials, and suggested that perhaps I should apply for the visa alone and try to apply for my wife and child later. Maybe we would have better luck that way.

We had been married less than two years at the time, and we didn’t think being apart was good for our marriage. I resolved that we would all go together, and, if it was God’s will for me to study in the U.S., He would make it happen, regardless of the circumstances. Bible promises strengthened my resolve and made it clear to me that my wife and child are blessings from the Lord (Psalm 127:3; Proverbs 18:22). God’s blessing would not become a curse to me at the embassy. To make a long story short, we all arrived in the U.S. during the summer of 2016.

Trusting God means believing His promises and moving forward with them, assured that He will fulfill them. God has always directed our path as a family because He gives us the grace to trust Him in difficult situations.

Father, thank You for assuring us that You will direct us in the way we should go, as long as we trust You. Amen.

Femi Fabiyi is a member of the Miamisburg church in Ohio.