Walking with God When the Cupboard is Bare

Walking with God When the Cupboard is Bare

In the hustle of modern life, it can feel like the cupboard is often bare—not just literally, but spiritually and emotionally too. In these moments, our faith is put to the test. Can we trust God to fill the empty spaces in our lives, to provide when the resources seem scarce, and to strengthen us when we feel weak?

Faith That Moves Mountains

The Bible tells us that faith is a gift from God. It’s not something we can purchase or find in a church building. It’s a divine deposit from above, a mustard seed planted in the heart, capable of moving mountains when fully embraced. As Hebrews 11:1 reminds us, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” This verse challenges us to look beyond the physical, to see the invisible substance that holds our spiritual lives together.

Walking with God means trusting Him even when the world around us feels unstable. It means believing that He will provide when the cupboard is bare, when the wallet is empty, and when the way forward is unclear. The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3:28 is a powerful example. These three men stood firm in their faith, refusing to bow to the idols of their time, even when threatened with a fiery furnace. They declared, “Our God is able,” choosing faith over fear.

Trusting God in the Fire

Like those three faithful men, we often find ourselves in the fire—financial pressure, relationship struggles, health crises—but it’s in these fiery moments that God’s presence becomes most evident. The Bible says that when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the fire, a fourth figure appeared with them, the Son of God, walking in the flames (Daniel 3:25). This powerful image reminds us that God walks with us through our trials, never leaving us alone.

Faith Over Fear

Faith isn’t just a feeling; it’s a choice. It’s the decision to trust God even when the physical evidence suggests otherwise. It’s standing firm on His promises, believing that He can bring something out of nothing. Genesis 1:1-3 tells us that God spoke the world into existence, bringing light out of darkness and life out of chaos. If He can do that, surely He can provide for our daily needs.

God Will Provide

Just as Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes to feed the thousands, God can multiply the little we have. He is the God of increase, the one who makes a way when there seems to be no way. “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) When we hand over our limited resources to God, we place the responsibility for the increase in His hands.

Surrender and Trust

Living by faith requires surrender. It means letting go of control, trusting that God’s plan is better than ours. It’s about speaking life over our circumstances and believing that God will come through, even when our situation looks bleak. It’s about living like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, declaring, “Our God is able.”

Stepping Out in Faith

Faith without action is like a body without a soul. It’s the stepping out of the boat in the middle of a storm, like Peter in Matthew 14:29. It’s the leper reaching out for healing in Mark 1:41, and the blind man crying out to Jesus in Luke 18:38. Faith moves. It steps into the unknown, trusting that the One who called you will sustain you.

A Call to Courage

As you reflect on your own faith journey, remember that God’s word is a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path (Psalm 119:105). It’s the blueprint for a life of faith, a guide for those willing to walk by trust rather than sight. So, the next time you find yourself standing before an empty cupboard, speak life. Declare that God is able, and watch as He makes a way where there seems to be none.

Faith in the Small Things

Often, it’s the small steps of faith that lead to the greatest breakthroughs. David’s faith as he faced Goliath, the widow’s offering of two small coins, and the boy with five loaves and two fish are all examples of how God uses the small and seemingly insignificant to demonstrate His power. God doesn’t overlook the little things. He sees every act of faith, every whispered prayer, every step toward Him.

Overcoming Doubt and Fear

Even the greatest men and women of faith had moments of doubt. Moses hesitated at the burning bush. Elijah fled from Jezebel. Peter sank when he took his eyes off Jesus. Doubt is a natural part of the human experience, but faith chooses to move forward despite uncertainty. It’s about lifting our eyes above the waves, fixing our gaze on the One who is unchanging.

Walking Through the Wilderness

Faith isn’t just for the good times. It’s for the wilderness too. The Israelites wandered for 40 years in the desert, learning to rely on God’s daily provision of manna. It’s a reminder that God can sustain us even when the path is unclear and the future seems uncertain. The wilderness is not a place of abandonment but a place of preparation.

Faith for the Future

As you continue to walk this journey, remember that faith isn’t just about survival—it’s about thriving. It’s about believing for the future, hoping for the unseen, and trusting that God’s promises will come to pass. It’s about living with an expectation that God will do exceedingly, abundantly, above all we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

The Power of Persistent Faith

Persistent faith doesn’t give up. It keeps pressing forward when the path is tough, when the world says “give up,” and when the storms rage. It’s the kind of faith that sees the impossible as merely a stepping stone to a greater testimony.

Final Thoughts

As you walk this path of faith, know that you are never alone. God is with you, His presence surrounds you, and His promises will never fail. So, whether your cupboard is physically or spiritually bare, remember to trust in the God of provision, the One who can make rivers flow in the desert and bring life out of lifelessness. He is with you, and He is faithful.