Rockefeller vs. the God of the universe

John D. Rockefeller (1885)

Someone sent me this story in e-mail. It might not be true - I'm not sure - but it got me thinking, and those thoughts are what I want to share with you here. First quickly read the story:

A business executive was deep in debt and could see no way out. Creditors were closing in on him. Suppliers were demanding payment. He sat on the park bench, head in hands, wondering if anything could save his company from bankruptcy.

Suddenly an old man appeared before him. "I can see that something is troubling you," he said. After listening to the executive's woes, the old man said, "I believe I can help you." He asked the man his name, wrote out a cheque, and pushed it into his hand saying, "Take this money. Meet me here exactly one year from today, and you can pay me back at that time." Then he turned and disappeared as quickly as he had come.

The business executive saw in his hand a cheque for $500,000, signed by John D Rockefeller, then one of the richest men in the world!

Who is God to you?

Last night I lay in bed listening to the pouring rain and howling wind outside. I ticked my mental checklist for having closed windows and locked doors before crawling under the covers, and felt a sense of relief for not having to be exposed to the elements. I was sheltered; I felt safe.

When storms of life rage in and around you, where do you run for shelter? Where do you feel safe? Do you have any such place at all?

Proverbs 18:10 says the Lord is a strong fortress. The godly run to Him and are safe. 

David says of God in Psalm 18:2, The Lord is my fort where I can enter and be safe; no one can follow me in and slay me. He is a rugged mountain where I hide; He is my Savior, a rock where none can reach me, and a tower of safety. He is my shield. He is like the strong horn of a mighty fighting bull.

and in Psalm 34:8 he says, O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good! Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts and takes refuge in Him.

I want you to think about your idea of God. Who is He to you?