What's Needed

The Portuguese and Spanish governments may be somewhat nervous today, as they try to raise money from the 'markets' to help them pay for their government's spending programmes. Apparently, they may be charged levels of interest which are unsustainable, leading to further collapse within the Eurozone. Hence the widespread nerves, as far as Paris and Berlin. If things go badly, we will all pay, in one way or another.
As an aside, I am tempted to ask why the banks which caused this trouble in the first place feel duty bound to charge destructive levels of interest, which may make huge profits for them (and their bonus hungry executives). If the Banks were more generous with the money for lending, much would be different.
In a different setting, the very aged Abraham was challenged by God to offer his precious son, Isaac, as a sacrificial offering to the Lord. In obedience, he took his son, and was ready to pay the high price.
When Isaac asked him where the sacrificial animal was, “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. (Genesis 22.8)
At that last moment, Abraham's hearing was sharp enough for him to hear the angel cry out,  “Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.”
Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”). (Genesis 22.12-14a)
This wonderful and startling story tells me yet again that the Lord we trust is One who provides what's needed - whatever that may be.
In the death of Jesus, we clearly see the way his death provides the means for our forgiveness and acceptance. But in every other area of life, we can discover that Lord provides for us. Are we eagerly looking for that provision, or are we trying to muddle through on our own?
Best wishes,
Richard