Hello Caroline,
Every man and woman of God at times walks thru these kind of trials, where as they trust in God He allows further testing~ for He is working a deeper faith into them. I believe they will find that His faithfulness is true and constant, and that His grace is very real.
I have been studying the widow of Zeriphath in 1 Kings 17, her tiny obediance to feed Elijah first each day, became her entire provison. God did not fill up the bin of flour and the jar of oil~ but He kept refilling it~ to satisfy the amount they needed for each day. All she had to do was be willing to make the bread, and give a portion to the Lord's prophet. This is like what your sister and brother-in-law have experienced, and my youngest daughter and her hubby too. The Lord's provision is refilled each day as they seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.
Here is the extended testing... while the widow had been faithful, suddenly her son became ill and died! Yet, Elijah took him to his bed chamber (no big show) and prayed three times for the Lord to restore his life, and God did. Even in her obediance the widow was tested further, but God was faithful, and she became a strong witness of His ways. :yes
Remember when the disciples were obediantly rowing toward the place where Jesus had told them to go that a fierce storm assailed their little ship? They were sinking, the boat was breaking up, when Jesus came to them, walking on the water. And Peter was given the opportunity to step out in unsinkable faith! He did at first, and when he took his eyes off Jesus, he sank like a rock. But a single cry put the Lord's hand in his once again.
We must keep our eyes fixed on our Lord, He will attend to our needs, because His love is a Fathers love, caring and nurturing, and sometimes allowing us to walk thru the thorns, so we will learn to wear our armor.
Father in heaven,
I thank You for Your constant love and for all You have provided for this precious family by Your gracious hand. I come to You alone, for who have we in heaven or in earth except You to save us? Please put Your courage into this young father Lord, and grant him the wisdom and faith he needs each day by Your word~ to endure and be the guide of those depending on him. May he grow in the grace and knowledge of You Lord, and may he become a witness of Your great provision.
Father, I ask for this young mother, that she will work to accomplish whatever you put in her hand to do. That she wil be comforted and strengthened as she watches her family lean on You for everything. Grant her words of powerful encouragement and loving grace for her husband as he stands trusting in Your ways. In Jesus mighty name I ask, for Your glory alone. :amen
:shades
