Jehovah Frugal
Written by Justine Nagawa
I work in communities where there’s often so much need everywhere you turn. Poverty has stricken many homes and there’s often a continuous cycle. Sometimes one may wonder if things will ever get any better. In many homes, there’s a lack of food, medical care, education, water, income, self-esteem, brokenness etc. Growing up, my situation was not any different from what I often see in many of the households in these communities. As a young child, my father was never present in my life and I was so mad with God for giving me such a man for a father. My mother worked extremely hard to meet the needs of our family. Amidst all the challenges, mom was never bitter. She thought the things that occurred to us were God’s will and he would one day turn our lives around.
Guess what? God surely did. Over the years, as I grew in my Christian faith, I got to learn, embrace, and encounter God in different ways and situations. I have known Him as “Jehovah Jireh”- God My Provider; “Jehovah Rapha”- God My Healer; “Jehovah Shalom”- God My Peace; and “Jehovah Shammah”- God who is always there. Today, I would like to share with you my new name of God; “Jehovah Frugal” - God who wastes Nothing. The story of Joseph is one that I like to relate this name to. Genesis 50:20 tells us:
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
When Joseph’s brothers intended to cause him harm, God used their evil to accomplish a greater good for them and many Israelites.
In my own life, God has used every small and big hardship or triumph to build a powerful testimony that I get to share every day. I have seen Him turn so many situations in my life in miraculous ways. Looking back, I see no wastage whatsoever; God has used it all for my benefit.
Friends, God will waste nothing in your life. He’s got a plan for you (Jeremiah 29:11), for a preferred future of your life. Sometimes, our pain prepares us for God’s destiny. God always means it for Good. He wants to write a new story in your life. God will give you Beauty for Ashes!
